Lately, I've been noticing a loud, kinda rapid, clicking noise coming from my engine bay. It used to only be temporary, and whenever I had the car idling, but now I notice it even when driving at low speeds (dont know about high speeds, hard to tell). I tried to figure out where its coming from, and it seems like its from behind the engine.. almost sounds like the intake manifold. I'll press the gas pedal slightly when its in park, and when the engine revs, the noise goes away for a few seconds and then when the RPMs come back down, it starts.

Anyone ever have this before?

Oh yeah, 96 Honda Accord

 

I had a similar sound on my '93, a noise that sounded like it was coming from behind the engine, but it was only when the engine was under a hard load, like high throttle in a low gear or going up a hill. I cleaned out my intake with carb cleaner and tightened all the hoses and stuff associated with the intake and it went away. I think it was something dirty in the intake. But it's hard to tell what yours might be without being there.

 

My 96 made a tapping noise at idle (as well as the ticking of the valves) and I had a slight knock between 1500-2000 rpms. Always had these noises from the time I bought the car w/ 40k miles to the time I sold it with 170k. I maintained the car by the book, still runs great today... F-series engine is just noisy. Even my new K-series isn't particularly quiet at idle. Don't know what else to say without hearing it for myself..

 

I just put a new filter on my intake system, so I dont think it would be dirty?

I took it to one of my friends garages, and he mentioned something about the valves hitting or something.. he said it was harmless?

 

after so many miles, the valve clearances become a little off balance... it really doesnt hurt, just makes clicking noises. adjusting them isnt all that hard if you know how to do it.

 

Would taking off the valve cover and tightening the bolts be the solution?

 

If by tightening the bolts you mean the bolts (screws actually, bolts hold them in place) to adjust the valves then maybe. But just tightening the bolts on the valve cover isn't likely to accomplish much unless they are loose. And if they were loose you'd know because you'd have a pretty handsome oil leak coming from the valve cover.

 

Finally got ticked and took it to a shop. Going to pick it up in a few minutes - they say it was the heat shield on the cat..

 

Yup, it was the heat shield.. purrs like a kitten again.