ticking noise at idle

[c4racer]

Our P5 has developed over time a strange noise that seems only present at idle. It sounds like a ticking noise almost like an exhaust leak or something - not quite like a valvetrain noise. I am thinking it could be related to something in the exhaust, but it does seem to be coming from the engine bay.

I noticed it on the original engine sometime over 100K miles. The longblock was recently changed with a Japan take-out although the exhaust gasket was reused. the gasket looked OK. Also - it doesn't seem like a normal exhaust leak since it smooths out and goes away once driving and above 1200rpm.

It seems unlikely to be valvetrain related since the shortblock was changed and both motors exhibit the same noise.

Now - the motor runs just fine. Idles good, runs great, gets 25mpg mixed which is normal. Just has this strange noise at idle that I cannot quite put my finger on what it is. Has more of an airy qaulity kinda like a model T if that makes any sense. Hard to describe with words I guess....

 

[P-Funk!]

Noisy injector?

Try 'covering' each one with your hand and listen if the noise changes.

 

[c4racer]

Noisy injector?

Try 'covering' each one with your hand and listen if the noise changes.

ya - could be that. I will try that. might be worth replacing them anyway.

 

[P-Funk!]

Noisy doesn't mean bad. It may run for a long time like that. I assume you would have reported hard starting/poor economy, poor perf you had it - so you should be good2go.

Listen to the lifters as well. It may just need a seafoam in the crankcase to clean a sludgy oil passage...

 

[PR5speed]

sounds like the problem I am having. check out the cruise control mechanism - If you have an aftermarket intake, you probably know what it is.

it's a little black plastic piece, with metal coming out of the end which was wedged into the original rubber intake tubing.

put your hand on this piece when you hear the ticking noise. When I placed my hand on this piece, I could feel pulsations going through it in accordance to the noise.

Haven't had any problems w/ the noise - and cruise control works fine. It's weird.

If this is the case, at least you'll know where the noise is coming from haha.

 

[bucksatan]

I'll be the second to go with the injectors being the culprit. I was under the hood a few weeks ago when the car was idling and was surprised at the noise they made. And I only have 110,000 km on mine. Of course, you rev the car at all and you can't hear it over the other noise. Stick your head in there when it is running and listen for where the noise is really coming from.

 

[c4racer]

Noisy doesn't mean bad. It may run for a long time like that. I assume you would have reported hard starting/poor economy, poor perf you had it - so you should be good2go.

Listen to the lifters as well. It may just need a seafoam in the crankcase to clean a sludgy oil passage...

I am pretty sure it is not a valvetrain noise. I am very familiar with those from years of playing with solid cam V8's.

But - ya, the motor runs great, no issues. Occasional long start, but maybe a couple times a week, and hell my Audi S4 does that too but otherwise runs excellent. A lot of things can cause an occasional long start cycle, so not too concerned about that one. Just cranks for a few extra seconds before firing once in a great while.

The noise does seem to be coming from the injector area - when I first heard it from under the hood after firing the new (to me) motor for the first time, that was the first thing I thought of. I will check it with a stethoscope and see if I can isolate it.

I priced new injectors and they are outrageously priced. more than $200 each. Reman units can be had for $30-40 which is probably a better way to go. But also may be no reason to replace one even if a bit noisy at idle.

Wife hasn't mentioned it and it is her car. I notice every little thing tho...

 

[thecrash91]

sounds like the problem I am having. check out the cruise control mechanism - If you have an aftermarket intake, you probably know what it is.

it's a little black plastic piece, with metal coming out of the end which was wedged into the original rubber intake tubing.

put your hand on this piece when you hear the ticking noise. When I placed my hand on this piece, I could feel pulsations going through it in accordance to the noise.

Haven't had any problems w/ the noise - and cruise control works fine. It's weird.

If this is the case, at least you'll know where the noise is coming from haha.

+1 on that, i had that problem too, but it fixed itself somehow

 

[ticker]

Go to the mazda USA website and become a member and add your vin#. There are certain 2003 protege5s that have a factory recall on them. There are some screws in the intake that become loose and cause a bunch of problems. Had ours looked at last week and they replaced the intake and all noises have gone away.

 

[slavrenz]

Go to the mazda USA website and become a member and add your vin#. There are certain 2003 protege5s that have a factory recall on them. There are some screws in the intake that become loose and cause a bunch of problems. Had ours looked at last week and they replaced the intake and all noises have gone away.

Oh, you'd know real quick if the ticking sound was caused by an ingested screw. But nonetheless, it's still worth getting this recall repair done ASAP.

 

[ChaRLeS23]

My car makes that little ticking noise as well coming from the engine bay. My best friend had a Protege ES 2001 with the 2.0 engine and did the same thing with only 35 000Km when he bought it couple of years ago and I remember him telling me about that sound. My cousin currently have a 2002 with a 2.0L and it's making the same exact noise. So I think there's nothing wrong with that. My ex girlfriend's sister had a LX 03 and it had that ticking sound as well. If it's the sound i think you are talking about, it's just the way the engine sounds.

BTW, about the recall, it was for intake manifold bolts that would unscrew and fall into the engine. I had mine replaced under warranty and as far as I remember I had that sound forever and everyone I know who owns a protege with a 2.0L get that sound too, so I don't think this is the reason why it's doing this.