spxChrome

I am convinced that something is ticking in the cam cover on the driver's side. It didn't start doing this until we changed plugs, wires, caps and rotors. I had 3 mechanics listen to from 3 diff places inlcuding the dealership. One said it was normal, other said it could be the valves (which the lex dealer said no way - he has only had to adjust 1 value in a lex the far back one) and the other said it sounded like the injector which is on that same side behind the cam cover and that was normal for a 93 with 95K. I know my car and i know it didn't sound like that before I had the work done. So what I want to do is remove the driver's side cam cover and start the car to see if the ticking goes away. Will it hurt anything to remove the cam cover and start the car with the cam and v-belt exposed?

v8pwr

For your info, My 92 LS with 94Kmiles were ticking also.
Although local Lexus mechanic told me that it is not likely my valves, I was almost certain that the noise was coming from my valve. So I took off the cylinder head covers and measured the valve clearance myself. Well, guess what. Not one, but two valves on the driver side needed an adjustment.

Well, to answer your question, it should be OK to start your car with timing belt cover off. (when you said cam cover, you meant timing belt cover and NOT cylinder head cover right?)

spxChrome

There is one cover over each side. It is the cover that goes over the rotor/cap.

On the drivers side it also extends to go over the plugs.

v8pwr

That's the timing belt cover, and it should be ok to start the engine without it. Just be careful not to touch the timing belt when engine is running.

GSquicksilver

what do you mean by ticking? some toyota engines tick and it is normal. if you hear clanking, then that means it's ur valves that need to be adjusted, but NORMALLY, V8's rarely need adjustment. only 4 cylinder cars do.

spxChrome

it's a constant tick that goes up or down with the trottle. it didn't start doing this until i had the plugs, wires, caps and rotors changed. before it was smooth, couldn't even hear the motor running with the hood down.

seanl

Pehaps a bad or poorly installed plug wire? How is the car running? Is it performing properly?

Just a few low-budget thoughts.....as you said, it was fine until they touched it.

spxChrome

car runs great - that's the kicker.

92lexus

I have removed my timing cover many times, you may
want to check the plastic housing that is part of the distributor housing,
it sometimes slips out of the housing and can rub against the timing belt causing a ticking or rubbing sound. just a thought, i have noise in my engine and I am getting ready to do a valve job in the next couple weeks or so, all you have to do is measure and install new shims.
good luck
92lexus

additude

The ticking may be from a spark jump from somewhere in the plug, wires, etc. It may even be comming from the plug chamber. Possible you don't have one or more of the connectors seated on the plugs or even possibly a bad plug.

Remove each plug wire completely, one at a time and see if it goes away.

I just bet your hearing a spark jump somewhere. Do you have a garage you can pull the car into and make completely dark? Try that and look for a light bluish white spark jumping somewhere in that area.