Hope someone has some ideas. I'm getting a regular ticking noise when the engine is cruising slowly in 2nd or 3rd, which goes if the clutch is depressed slightly, or i put my right foot down. I thought it might be that tappets, but i'm not convinced, as if that were the case the noise would be continuous. Air in the system? I've checked the oil, its fine and i'm not losing any.

Nick

Does it happen when you are stationary, or only when moving?

M

If the car is a V6 then I think I can help. The same problem (ticking noise around 2000 rpm in any gear, which stops when the clutch is depressed or more throttle is used) existed on my mate's car and we were worried that it might be something serious, thinking HLA's, Friction Gear, etc, although the car only had 30,000 miles on it - see 5/2/04 message under Performance>Zxi knock.

However, a Mazda mechanic from the local dealer listened to the noise and thought it was the VSV - a small valve mounted on the front bulkhead that has 2 pipes running to it, one from the Charcoal Canister and one to the Inlet Manifold. The mechanic pulled out the electrical connector from the valve (he said it's safe to run the car for a while with the VSV disconnected) and when we drove the car again the noise disappeared. When the valve was connected again, the noise re-appeared. We haven't done the test ourselves yet though to check the results - time was limited with the mechanic since we were kindly given a free 5 mins for a drive around the block.

Try disconnecting the electrics to the VSV on your car & see if the noise goes. Let the Forum know the results. Note that it takes a while for the valve to settle when re-fitted.

The Mazda mechanic said it would be safe to run the car with the noisy valve, so it hasn't been replaced on my mate's car and hence, I can't give a cost. However, once you've got the part it looks like a DIY job to fit it. The Mazda mechanic said that if the dealer fitted it they would also check that everything else was OK at the same time.

If your car is a 1.5 or 1.8 then I'm not sure if it has the same valve or not - it probably has since it's for emissions control.

Send me an Email if you want to know anything else.

The car is a 98 1.5 intruige

To answer the first, only whilst moving.

As for the second, i'll give that a try. It sounds like a similar noise that occurred with the ECLD system on my saab, with the solenoid getting noisy.

When i get the chance i'll let you know what happens!

Thanks for the tip.

Nick

Hello Everyone

Been having a look on site for months now, but only just now bought a ZXi (3 weeks ago) very happy, especially engine, but also had ticking noise at around 1500-2500 revs when engine not under much load, (slow moving traffic etc)
Have tried disconnecting the valve as you suggested Robin and it does stop the noise, now I'll see how much one of these are, probably an arm and 2 legs
Does anyone know what this valve does, and is there any particular procedure with changing it? Know its not a vital thing to change, but engine is so smooth I want to able to enjoy it rather than listen to a little niggly thing, its akin to chinese water treatment!!

I haven't had a chance to check mine yet, i presume the 1.5 has the same charcoal system as the others, let me know how much a new one is! then i will decide whether or not to change it, or live with it! I'm still working out how to stop the constant rain water leaking from an unknown source!