[jeffsdguy]

Okay, so I have this 97 NA that hasn't had any problems since I got her 2 months ago. Today I start my car and a weird noise, like a clicking or tickingthats coming from the car at first as the engine heats up it goes aaway. So I just left it alone. After running my errands as turn off the.car a weird smell was coming from the interior. Smells like something burning..I spoke to a guy and he said it might be burning coolant. But wouldnt it only burn coolant if coombustion is present.

I don't know what to do thats why turn to the forum. Before heading out to a shop to get it looked at.

Any help is appreciated.

 

[jeffsdguy]

On another note: The ticking noise occurs only when I accelerate.

 

[Spettro]

Edit: After reading your post about changing to 91 octane I've decided to retract any form of help I was willing to provide, have a nice day!

 

[Corruption]

If it's 5w30 oil, switch to 10w30. The smell idk

 

[Kolbotn]

Ticking noise when startong The engine is prefectly normal, as all The oil returns to The bottom of The engine when you shut it of. But you might want to check your oil level to be sure its not running low.
As for The smell, check coolant level, and check all your coolant hoses for any leak.

 

[gmac1321]

check your oil? maybe see if there is any coolant in the oil(i.e foam). suffering a recent blown heater line myself, the sweet smell of antifreeze is easy to identify.

 

[jeffsdguy]

Edit: After reading your post about changing to 91 octane I've decided to retract any form of help I was willing to provide, have a nice day!

Thanks.

 

[spitefulcheerio]

You have to admit, asking how to change your gas from 87 to 91 was a dumb question.....at least a poorly worded question.

 

[(Adam)]

jeffsdguy to reitirate others don't worry about the ticking but next oil change get a little thicker and it could help.

 

[freshbuzz]

The ticking is the famous hla tick, there's plenty of info on this at mnet. You can try switching to a lighter weight oil and see if it goes away

 

[(Adam)]

Lighter? I've always read and did otherwise. :?

 

[freshbuzz]

I've always understood it as this:

Cold engine tick, he needs a thinner oil at start up, ie 10w30 ---> 5w30.

hot engine tick, he needs a thicker oil at operating temp, ie 5w30 --->5w40

 

[RED96FTW]

Sounds like what happened when i bought my 96. the car mostly sat before i bought it and the valve cover and cam seal were shot. it leaked and smelled and had a couple lifters get seized on hot days on extended drives.

Install 5w40 synthetic oil and fix any oil leaks, especially valve cover and cam sensor O-ring. works like a champ now.
also i put 89 octane gas or higher.

 

[jeffsdguy]

This tick is different though, when I start the engine I hear a tick. When I drive her a little hard, I would hear a tick when I come to a stop light. It seems like the acceleration or something would cause it to tick. I still need to find an owners manual, since I am not mechanically inclined..yet.

 

[(Adam)]

Really its no big deal. Its just your lifters but change your oil and see if it'll help. Even if it don't, drive it man these motors just do it and its fine.

 

[mysteryskittle]

This thread will be 100% useless to you. You cannot diag a ticking noise coming from "somewhere" and a "weird smell" over the internet.

You live in a popular Miata area. Find some people that know what they are talking about to check your car out. It will take seconds. Do not go to a shop. It's most likely an exhaust leak and HLA tick.

What I learned from this thread was to use a thicker oil, use a lighter oil, check your oil, check our coolant, and check for leaks of some kind of fluid... Picking up what I'm laying down?
Good luck, let us know what happens.

 

[jeffsdguy]

Alright. I don't want to make another thread: I was just wondering what I could change as a preventative maintenance? I need a list please.
Thanks!

 

[spitefulcheerio]

Fucking. Search. For the love of God. And go hangout on Miata.net.

 

[whitebeau]

This starts happening to me when;

1. I'm close to my oil change sched. 3k

2. oil level is .5 low and only happens during cold startup.

Are you due for an oil change? and what weight are you running now? what is your oil level on the dipstick (read manual)

If it goes away with a top-off, or if your weight is really light '5w-20' change to a heavier oil. 10w-30.

been 3k or more since last oil change? .. do an oil change.

Still happens after top-off or change in weight if it's lighter then 10w-30? Hydrolic Lash Adjusters are ticking....

http://www.miata.net/garage/hla/index.html

beat your car daily? may want to get that fixed sooner then later...

 

[batou]

^

there's your answer - next time USE THE SEARCH FUNCTION.