THSCC Forums

So I had a cooling issue with the Miata, and after I got that sorted (thanks James Short!!!) I noticed a pretty god awful sound. I'm sure it was there beforehand, but I didn't notice it. It sounds like it is coming from the valvetrain, so I replaced the HLAs today.

That didn't work and the noise is still there. Here is the noise: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/10471269/Memo.m4a

I'm seriously stumped as to what it could be, and Miata.net is worthless for asking questions that aren't "do these sun visors make my car look fat?"

Maybe it's my crappy old computer, but I can't open your link.

It's an mp4 file, I think you might need Quicktime.

I can play the file but it sounds like a spoon caught in a disposer. Did you put a spoon in the radiator?

I can't tell what it is from the file. sorry

The radiator is silverware free.

use a long screwdriver or a metal rod place one end in your ear and probe the engine with the other and see if you can locate the area in the engine where the noise is loudest this may help you locate and determine the source.... If you have a stethoscope forget the screwdriver and use that to try to locate the source. I can't tell anything from the recording.

_________________
2004 C5(415whp,390ft/lbs),
1997C5,1997Trans Am, 1986 C4,
1990 Miata, 1976 MGB,1997 Protege, 1989 MR2

Here's a video, not great, but might help: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHAp2_0yNjA

Could it be an exhaust leak? Does pulling the heatshield make the sound different? It doesn't sound that metallic in the video.

_________________
One of those LeMonHeads...
91/95 Miata, 02 Focus SVT, 01 Ford F250, 09 Suzuki SV650SF
rusty 84 C4 Vette, tiny piece of the General Lei
Irish Sport Horse - 1hp NA!

I agree. It sounds like a cracked exhaust header. - AB

_________________
'14 Toyota Sequoia Platinum 4WD
Super Westerfield Bros - '93 Integra - LeChump Du Jour
STX 93 - Scion FR-S

X3. The first thing that comes to mind would be a an exhaust leak. That sounds like good news IMO.

Had you never heared the HLA noise on a Miata before? I know you said you reploaced them. That noise sounds nothing like this one.

_________________
Vincent Keene
'06 Ford Mustang GT (track rat)
'15 Dodge Charger R/T (yeah, it's got a HEMI!)
'07 Ford Fusion SE (205,000 miles and counting)
'98 Chevy Z-24 (retired)
'93 Acura Integra (Team SWB 24HOL Car)

Yeah sounds like exhaust leak. Stock header or aftermarket?

_________________
02 Focus SVT
STF 9

I know what the HLA noise is seeing how my car sounded like a sewing machine until I found the proper oil that made it happy. I was guessing it was the cam follows/HLAs because it sounded like it was coming from the valvetrain. I didn't soak the HLAs overnight in oil, so they weren't completely pumped up when I started the car and it was quite loud until they all pressurized properly.

If anybody is in Raleigh and wants to give it a listen today, that would be greatly appreciated.

Stock everything.

So it's not the exhaust! Or the power steering pulley!

Glenn Long and his tech think it's the tension pulley because there's weird wear on the timing belt and they're all out of ideas.

I still think it could be the header. You need to remove the cast iron log to really find a header crack in an OEM header like that.

_________________
2011/2012 Autox VP
2013/2014.5 President
2013 Top Gun

2015 Fit

22R-EC => 4G63 => D16Y7 + D16Y8 => EJ255 + K24Z2 => K20Z3 + K24Z2 => K24Z2 + M54 => L15B

I heard you like pulling headers. :v