Engine noise

[steveash]

My engine makes a mild ticking noise at times particularly when loaded. I'm hardly an expert but my thinking is this is valve clearances. It's been there for a while but more noticeable now I have the hardtop off. If my amateur diagnosis is correct, is it something an average garage can deal with or should I find someone more specialist? And am I doing it much damage running it like this?

[Ardent]

If it is what you think, then the mechanics are comparatively straight forward.

The issue is more likely to be sourcing the required buckets.

Buckets not shims.

[Craigjm]

If it's the valve clearance the ticking will rise with the revs and be always present. It could be many things before that such as a cracked manifold, pre ignition or a low oil level are more likely

[Carolyn]

If it's the valve clearance the ticking will rise with the revs and be always present. It could be many things before that such as a cracked manifold, pre ignition or a low oil level are more likely

I'm sorry but you are incorrect in saying the other possibilities are more likely.  They are possibilities yes, but noisy valves are ubiquitous on a 1ZZ, (to the point that many think 1ZZs are just 'noisy engines').  A cracked manifold would also rise in frequency with the revs.  I've never come across a case of pre-ignition on one of our cars.

There is a 'how to' on setting the valve clearances https://www.mr2roc.org/index.php?topic=65009.0.  I've done quite a few members' cars.  @Ardent did his at our workshop under our guidance and @shnazzle and I did his in the car park at the Holt Hotel at a club gathering.

I have the club 'bucket bank'. (The fact that we have club 'bucket bank' lets you know how common this is.)  Let me know which buckets you require and I'll supply them (or as close as makes no difference) if they are in the bank.

@steveash :  Use a long screwdriver or a bit of wood as a stethoscope and put it to your ear and the cam cover.  You'll know for certain then. If you like, you can do the job by bringing your car here and I'll supervise and provide the tools.  You'll need to bring an OEM quality cam cover gasket.

[Joesson]

@steveash
To totally misquote a lager ad:
That might be the best offer you get this week.

[steveash]

That's a very kind and tempting offer Carolyn, thank you. It may be some time before I can get away due to complicated family issues. So I will get in touch when it's more possible. In the meantime I also have my nice new Zero manifold and other exhaust parts to fit which should remove that possibility. My old decat manifold never did fit very well and it's possible it still has a small leak where it joins the cat pipe.

[Carolyn]

That's a very kind and tempting offer Carolyn, thank you. It may be some time before I can get away due to complicated family issues. So I will get in touch when it's more possible. In the meantime I also have my nice new Zero manifold and other exhaust parts to fit which should remove that possibility. My old decat manifold never did fit very well and it's possible it still has a small leak where it joins the cat pipe.

Wrap the manifold on the bench!!  Oem gaskets top and bottom.