3.9 ticking away

[disco dan]

My 3.9 has developed a ticking noise I'm guessing head gasket or noisey tappet. What are the cost to have this fixed and can it be fixed by a home mechanic.

I'm also guessing if it's doing this it will be due for other things to however I'm looking at keeping the car for a while so any ideas or diagnosis help would be great

Thanks

[bee utey]

Everything on a 3.9 engine can be fixed by someone with the right skills. The cost depends entirely on what it is. You'd be better served doing a bit of close up and personal listening before asking an open ended "Emmachizzit" question like that. It could even be as simple as some of the exhaust manifold bolts being loose.

[Homestar]

Yep, more info required. A loose exhaust to a slipped liner and everything in between - cost from $0 to $lots

Start with the simple things - they are the most common cause of issues. :)

Unless you have cooked it recently?

[disco dan]

Ok thanks guys. Haven't cooked it so will pull the good old tube out and feel around then get back to you

[disco dan]

Could the wrong oil filter cause it as it has a z9 when it should be a z89a.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

no,:D
The 89a is just a Z9 with the end cut off,,

some say, its possible to damage a Z9 with suspension travel.
Could that be an urban myth?

[disco dan]

Haha thought I should ask

[Homestar]

Yet, even though they are shorter, the Z89a is more expensive. I suppose it's due to the numbers produced. I wonder how many Z9's have been made over the years...

I've always used Z9's and not had any issues, but I don't do any extreme off roading either.

[Mercguy]

I had a similar experience the other day, from cold, when dropping the missus off. Turned out to be the rearward two passenger side manifold bolts (at the head). At first I could not believe how they would have unwound themselves. I am considering replacing with studs and copper locknuts.

It took a good 10 minutes to be absolutely sure, as the bolts were only obviously loose when the engine had cooled significantly. Nipped them up and all OK ... for the moment anyway.

Apparently a common as muck issue on RRC's. Does make you wonder though.

[PhilipA]

If you have a RRC there should be locking tabs on the bolts.

Are there locking tabs on yours?

They do not unwind with locking tabs.
They are cheap.
Regards Philip A

[Mercguy]

Not on the ones I tightened Philip.... :eek:

Just thinking whether or not it is worth putting a stud kit in. I would assume they are identical to chev/buick/holden v8...? could be wrong though.

anyone know?

[Meccles]

I am using ARP bolt set. Never had issue with them coming loose. Stud set will work but is it really necessary? Also used unbrako's with no issue. Mind I never use exhaust gaskets just thin smear silicone sealant as Long as manifold face is true, works great.

[bee utey]

I think the D2 set of exhaust manifold bolts is better, the ones with the spacer tubes. I put a set on a RRC a couple of years ago and they showed no sign of coming loose. Their head size is 12mm double hex, a little strange seeing that the shanks are still 3/8" UNC like of old. The most important factor though was that I got them for free. :)

[Mercguy]

Ahh well, if they were free then it's a no brainer ;)

Wonder what a set of genuine ones would be... time to go looking on fleabay