At idle, i hear this slight ticking sound coming from the motor (when the hood is up and you're listening carefully). it is a rapid (probably 5 or 6 times per second) metal ticking/tapping sound. is this valve ticking? is it a real problem? what are the cons about it? does it need to be fixed?

thanks

Jason

 

yup, sounds like a rocker on the cam ticking. it wont do any damage, but it will get worse, and it will cost you power. you can fix it yourself relatively easily, the problem is going to be getting the valve cover off. you have a lot more clutter in your engine bay than me. it takes me about an hour to adjust my valves, which constantly come out of whack. about every 10K miles.

 

Sure it isn't the injector solenoids?

 

I second this, grab a length of small diameter hose to use as a stethoscope and see if you can isolate the source (valve cover or injector). BTW, IIRC (I could be wrong...) the 3vze doesn't have rockers. The cam directly operates the valves.

Yes, rockerless. This picture shows a 3vze head, the cam journals are directly over the valves. The valves are adjusted with shims, and supposedly a special tool is required to do so.

 

sometimes i forget how much more technology is in your rigs than mine.