Tapping noise

[EastCoastSRT10]

My car just recently developed a weird tapping noise. It seems to go up with Revs but the weird thing is it only does it under load. Revving it in neutral or with the clutch in is smooth.

I only get the tapping noise with the clutch engaged and below 4k rpms.

You can also feel it in the frame under the passenger side footwell.

I thought it was a loose exhaust or something but haven’t been able to find anything yet.

Anyone else get this before? It’s hard to say valvetrain or anything engine related as it doesn’t make the noise in neutral nor can I feel it in the shifter.

 

[Goggles Pizano]

Driving or stationary?

 

[BoondocSaint]

When you say tapping, do you mean a single tap corresponding to your throttle input? If that is the case, you might want to look at motor or transmission mounts.

 

[EastCoastSRT10]

Driving or stationary?

Driving. It can be heard stationary but I have to slip the clutch. Engine needs load.

 

[EastCoastSRT10]

When you say tapping, do you mean a single tap corresponding to your throttle input? If that is the case, you might want to look at motor or transmission mounts.

No, it’s a rapid tapping that goes up with revs.

But it can’t be heard unless the engine is under load, only under 4k rpms and can only be felt under the passenger footwell.

 

[BoondocSaint]

Sounds like a two person job. Car off the ground with one person engaging the drive train, other person spotting. If it's motor or transmission mounts, should be pretty noticeable. Like you mentioned, exhaust is another good place to look. Maybe even something ridiculous like road debris could have been picked up on a recent drive.

 

[kmagnuss]

Mine does something similar but I can only hear it with the top up.

 

[Old School]

Could be that driver side motor mount let go. The engine then rocks up when loaded causing the exhaust on the other side to hit something.

 

[pokeyl]

Oil Pressure is good?

 

[EastCoastSRT10]

Oil Pressure is good?

Yep Oil Pressure is good. Just under 75psi cold. About 60psi warm cruise. 40psi idle.

 

[EastCoastSRT10]

Could be that driver side motor mount let go. The engine then rocks up when loaded causing the exhaust on the other side to hit something.

I was thinking the same thing.

 

[EastCoastSRT10]

Update: I was able to listen to it while the engine was revved and it sounds like the passenger side valvetrain. Doesn't do it at all RPMs and like I said it seems to go away after 4k.

It's not the "sewing machine" noise. This was a very noticeable change. Car runs fine though. Pulls strong and smooth with no hiccups.

I was debating about FI or NA but it seems like the car made the choice for me. Probably going to get a set of heads and cams from Havik and call it a day.

 

[EastCoastSRT10]

Update #2: Pulled the valve cover off and found nothing. No collapsed lifter. No bent rod. No broken springs. All rockers are tight.

I did some exploratory listening using a 3/8 extension but nothing can be heard inside the engine. If anything the engine sounds really quiet and smooth.

I have a set of mechanics stethoscopes coming to verify but if I can't hear anything inside the engine I'm going to assume it's a loose exhaust hanger or something.

 

[Old School]

When you get that stethoscope, put it directly on the rocker bolts, it will isolate if it’s valve train

 

[EastCoastSRT10]

When you get that stethoscope, put it directly on the rocker bolts, it will isolate if it’s valve train

Thanks. I will keep that in mind. This is a fairly noticeable obnoxious tapping noise though. So I should be able to hear it regardless of where I place the "stethoscope" but the inside of the engine sounds smooth. I can barely hear the valves closing.

This tapping noise can be felt in your feet in the passenger wheel well when on load.

 

[EastCoastSRT10]

Just an update. So it’s not an exhaust leak. I checked everything was tight on the exhaust. No signs of leaks. I don’t see any cracking on the headers. Redid the exhaust mounts thinking maybe something was loose.

The only thing is that over the winter the tapping can no longer be felt in the car or steering wheel. You can still hear it but you can’t feel it anymore.

So maybe the cold shrunk something and moved it slightly.

I’ve stethoscoped it dozens of times and can’t hear it from the engine at all. No matter where I listen at the top end all I hear is gentle whirling noises.

Listened towards the bottom of the block on the front, same deal.

Put the stethoscope directly on the headers and exhaust, nothing.

Only thing I haven’t stethoscoped is the lower block towards the rear as it’s hard to reach.

Given it’s fairly loud at cold start one would think if it’s coming from the engine I would hear it in some manner in the block but nothing.

At a lost at this point. Honestly sounds like an old tractor with worn valves until it warms up.

It has diminished substantially since last year though where it no longer can be heard as much during the rpm ranges and loads mentioned above.

 

[BoondocSaint]

Have you been able to listen further back towards the clutch? Maybe the throwout bearing is on it's way out, or any number of worn or damaged clutch components.

 

[EastCoastSRT10]

Have you been able to listen further back towards the clutch? Maybe the throwout bearing is on it's way out, or any number of worn or damaged clutch components.

I have not. I would have to see if I can get the stethoscope on the bell housing but good call as I’m at a lost.

Would be a very weird noise for a throw out bearing.

I also don’t feel anything in the shifter that I can tell. The noise starts right at start up with the clutch pedal in though.