A few months ago a strange clicking sound developed on my 22r. Seems to be coming from the front of the engine and sounds like it's external to the engine block. Wondering if anyone else here has experienced a similar problem.

The sound increases with RPM but is not always there. Seems to be independent of temperature, whether the engine is hot or cold etc. Some days it's really bad and others it's non existent. It's not the natorious valve lifter click and it doesn't sound like a rattling timing chain. Also, when the clicking problem is there, it goes away at certain rpms and gets louder at others.

Thinking it was the water pump, I replaced it today but the clicking is still there. Any ideas? Thanks a ton for any help! I could post a recording if it helps.

 

you say you "THINK" its not the TC...but have you taken the time to look?

 

ya, I pulled the valve cover and peaked down inside. Guides are still intact and chain seems to have good tension. Chain was replaced approx 30K miles ago. The sound does not sound like its inside the block, it doesn't sound like a knocking or rattling. The chain used to rap a bit on start up, which is why I had it replaced. The current sound is not similar to that. Very sharp, almost wet clicking sound, if that makes any sense.

 

I ha d broke a bolt on the bottom of the tc cover on mine. It coused the cover to vibrate and the chain rubbed the cover as it rapped under the crank.

 

Thanks for the input guys. The sound changed a little after I replaced the water pump so now I'm thinking either the idler pulley, the belt or the alternator. Anyone ever heard of a clicking belt?

 

maybe bearning in alternator, power steering pump, or air compressor going bad