dc headers ticking???

Chris Vu

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okay so I just installed some DC headers on my f23a4 and now I notice a ticking noise that sounds like injectors ticking. when I speed up the noise becomes more rapid. now, is it the injectors ticking or do I have an exhaust leak? anyone else experience this with theirs? and if its an exhaust leak, how do I pinpoint it? thanks mucho :)
 

slowrider87

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is it possible that it is just the exhaust valves cycling open and closed. The oem manifold is super heavy thick cast iron and may have deadened the noise before. The DC header is slimmer , thinner, and lighter weight. No longer thick enough to deaden the noise. also sound resonates through the smooth steel piping better than the rougher cast iron.

my thoughts.
 

AllGOnoSHOW

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Mine started clicking when I ran aftermarket headers that either had a leak / and or leak - crack which magnifies the valve lifters sound.

BTW I took my car to the Honda Dealership and drove it in the bay and asked them if I need a valve adjustment, which they pointed out to me that it was my header cracked seal / leaking = and my valves were in spec.
 

001Stunna

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okay so I just installed some DC headers on my f23a4 and now I notice a ticking noise that sounds like injectors ticking. when I speed up the noise becomes more rapid. now, is it the injectors ticking or do I have an exhaust leak? anyone else experience this with theirs? and if its an exhaust leak, how do I pinpoint it? thanks mucho :)

If you want to test for the leak and dont feel like getting dirty...run some seafoam through the pcv vacuum line so the car starts smoking. If you see white smoke come out from your headers, you have a leak from that area. (ive done this before to find a leak in my flexpipe). You can partly cover the exhaust tip wit a rag on your hand to cause a bit more pressure and make the smoke want to come out from other outlets other then the muffler. just DONT fully cover it.

In addition if you've NEVER done it, getting a valve adjustment done never hurt anything. I want to go get one done just never had the time lol.
 

hotaccord243

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I've checked and re-checked my valves countless amounts of times for correct clearances and have also ran a smoker through the vacuum lines and the breather to see if it is leaking out of anywhere and nothing (anymore). I still have the "clicking" of the valves, even though they are within spec and seat correctly.

I honestly think our valves are quite chattery no matter what you do, especially when going to a DC header or something with a lighter metal material that will more or less "echo" the sound as if it is worse.....

Just my $.02....

The other thing you can do like 001Stunna said is seafoam and see where the smoke is coming from. If you can sometimes i've been able to find some exhaust leaks just by using my hand/piece of paper around the head/header/midpipe areas while its running and have been able to find some fixes that I have needed. The latter option does take a while longer as its easy to misread air blowing around from the radiator fans and other things though.
 
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