Hi I had my van serviced not to long ago and have just done a road trip. Now it has developed a loud engine ticking like the timing is off when I accelerate? Could it be timing or likely some other common fault? If anyone has any thoughts it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Tim
The ticking noise can be timing in which case it will show with a timing light. If the distributor clamp is loose it might have moved. It could be an incorrectly torqued spark plug about to fall out. Both of these reasons could be related to the service, by the time you have investigated them you might as well have done the service yourself It could be a loose exhaust connection or a cylinder head not torqued down properly. These can be found using a length of hose held to one ear with the engine idling. Poke around near the heads and exhaust connections. Any gas leaks will be obvious as a crackling noise in time with the firing of the engine.
As @mikedjames suggests, use an off cut of garden hose as a type of stethoscope to help pin point the general area. As it's just been serviced a loose plug would be a nice easy fix.
Unless it's loose because they crossed the thread or it was damaged changing the plugs. When I had one that looked like it would do that I'd change the others, wait for the customer to come for the van and make them decide whether to risk it. Plugs that are going to pull the thread out are obvious as soon as you start to loosen them. 10/10 they'd opt for leaving it be as stripping the thread can get a bit expensive when you just wanted a simple service.
Did the plugs on the Bug, yesterday, such an awkward job with Weber's, a crossed thread is my worst nightmare, hateful job.
