Diagnose this problem please….

**topgun1851** · 08-02-2005, 02:25 PM

I am going to describe an unusual sound my ’02 WS6 is making with the P-1SC Procharger. First, my setup:

Performance Modifications
- Extra Ram Air Flap Removal
- Hurst Skip Shift Eliminator Kit (CAGS!)
- Throttle Body Coolant By-Pass
- New Stock Transmission at 33,000 Miles
- ATI Procharger P-1SC-1 (10PSI @ 6,200RPM) Supercharger at 35,500 Miles
- NGK TR6 Spark Plugs
- MSD 8.5mm Super Conductor Spark Plug Wires
- ATI Inline Fuel Pump
- 38 lb/hr Fuel Injectors
- Hypertech 160° Thermostat
- Pace Setter Long Tube Headers
- Pace Setter ORY Y-Pipe Without Catalytic Converters With O2 Simulators
- Hooker Cat-Back System With AeroChamber Muffler and Quad Tips

I am currently at 41,000 miles (6,000 on the supercharger). When I first installed the P-1SC kit, I was still running with a complete stock exhaust setup. Everything seemed great. Then about a month after the supercharger, I installed new headers, y-pipe, and cat-back system (see above mods).

Since the whole aftermarket exhaust setup was installed, I noticed a slight “ticking” sound at certain conditions, mostly under the condition of low RPMs with a low-to-middle throttle setting. The ticking sound was rare and is actually very hard to hear unless you really know the sound of your car and can notice any minor changes. The sound is only when the engine is under load, so I cannot figure out the location when driving.

Within the next 6,000 miles on the car, the ticking sound seemed to become more abundant and I hear it often now. The best condition to describe when it occurs is trying to accelerate at a normal pace keeping RPMs within the 1,000 to 2,000 range. Above 2,000 I cannot really notice it anymore, but that could be because my engine is too load and is preventing me from hearing it.

My first intuition was piston slap against the cylinder walls when the engine was under heavy load with low RPMs. My knock sensors are not going off, and multiple people have analyzed the real-time data while driving and concluded it definitely was not piston slap. Although the sound is more abundant and progressively got worse with time and miles, I have not noticed any performance difference.

So basically, my question is if anyone has any clue what the sound could be? Anyone else have an experience like this with another F-body and similar setup?

**Ayeris** · 08-02-2005, 02:56 PM

check the belt and make sure it's tight and that it's not causing the shaft in the supercharger to vibrate.

**warpwr** · 08-02-2005, 05:31 PM

Sounds like an exhaust leak. That will make a ticking sound.

Any of those new exhaust parts have flanged connections with a gasket and bolts? Replace the gaskets with copper ones, that took care of the ticking on my '56 exhaust setup. Otherwise, welded joints could be leaking too and might need to be touched up.

**finishline** · 08-03-2005, 01:39 AM

I second the exhaust leak.

Daring Devil · 08-03-2005, 04:37 PM

It does not say anything about tunning has that been done sence your last mods

**topgun1851** · 08-03-2005, 04:53 PM

Originally Posted by Daring Devil

It does not say anything about tunning has that been done sence your last mods

Sorry, it has been professionally tuned since last mod.

**topgun1851** · 08-03-2005, 04:59 PM

Originally Posted by finishline

I second the exhaust leak.

I wish I could post a clip with the exact sound. I've been thinking of an exhaust leak also, but I could not find one. I will double my search.

Another way to explain the noise is it sounds like my valves are being rattled around, which I'm sure is not the case. More guesses and intutions are welcome. Thanks in advance.

**Ayeris** · 08-04-2005, 12:46 PM

is the exhaust tapping the floorpan with the vibrations caused at that RPM?

**brad8266** · 08-04-2005, 02:11 PM

I go with exhaust leak at the header collector or at the header/head gasket. Ya know whats funny, I only had one gasket when I installed my headers and x pipe, so one collector has gasket maker at the pipe to collector area and it doesnt leak, but the side with the proper gasket leaks a tiny bit. Weird, the ghetto side is ok but the right one is leaking.

**Sarge** · 08-05-2005, 01:04 PM

I had an oxygen sensor (Bosch) make a ticking sound once....took me forever to find it.....I do not know if it was an electrical arc or what...but sure as shootin....it was the sensor....8 bucks...new sensor and no more 'ticking".....these things can drive you to sniffing glue sometimes....