#Mazda Miata 1.6 strange tick sound

32 messages · Page 1 of 1 (latest)

north flare
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The car did take a while to start but I'm pretty sure it's just the battery or the starter. What I'm unsure about is the ticking sound which has been getting worse over time. What does this sound like to you all?

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The ticking you hear during the startup is also very audible while driving and once the car has warmed up. It doesn't just do this because it was a cold start.

sudden belfry
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The start issue is indeed battery or starter solenoid related.
When was the last time you had the valves adjusted?

north flare
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i dont think the car has ever had that done

sudden belfry
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The valves are an old style shim and bucket design (IE it is not as easy as popping off the valve cover and adjusting with a feeler gauge), so it is best left to a shop.
It could be other things, like low oil or oil pressure. How long have you had the car?

north flare
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i've had the car for about a year personally but it has been in my family for almost 30 years i believe

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i did have a slight oil leak last summer but it kind of just stopped dripping

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i have not checked the dip stick for a while though.

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the leak was coming from what i think was the valve cover gasket

sudden belfry
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Start with checking your oil. If it is fine, then adjustment may be the next step (especially if it has never been done in those 30 years).
Lets see what others have to say...

north flare
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how long should i run the car before checking oil?

thorn hedgeBOT
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GG @north flare, you just advanced to level 5! Chat more to level up and earn top roles!

north flare
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it has been sitting in a family member's garage for the winter because my house has no space for it

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i start it occasionally

uncut granite
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Throw thicker oil in it and forget about it

sudden belfry
north flare
# sudden belfry Boo... hisss.....

Hey there, just wanted to give an update. Today I checked the oil and it was extremely low, i put 1.5 quarts in there till it hit the f on the dipstick. So its good I did that, however, the car still makes the clicking noise. I'll post a video right now of what it sounds like under the hood.

analog cloak
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You have Miata lifter tick. Welcome to level 2 of Miata ownership.

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They have a little oiler hole that gets gunked up.

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Adjust+clean gunk and you’re good to go

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Some people just do an aggressive engine flush

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And call it good

north flare
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all the videos i've seen look way too complicated for me, i might just let a shop do it

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@analog cloak is this what you mean?

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an aggressive engine flush sounds like a better idea as shops near me would charge an absurd amount for this most likely

north flare
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some in the comments say to put in valvoline 10-30 full synthetic to fix it as well

analog cloak
analog cloak
north flare
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im gonna go ahead and do an oil change, switching over to t6 5w40. If that doesn't fix it I will send it in to have the lifters cleaned.