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hey i was just wondering if anyone else has that valve ticking noise and if there is any way to get rid of it and how to fix it?

the valve tick is normal on all k series motors (mx3 gs, probe gt, mx6, etc) it doesnt harm performance though. i was told that it was a small spring that wears out but is by your timing belt. only costs like 10bux but unless ur changing the timing belt its not worth ripping the engine apart.<BR>Dan

It's your 'Cam Shaft Friction Gear'. How do i know this? I had the exact same ticking that sounds like the valves. It cost me $1100 Canadian to fix! 3/4 price is in labour though.

i heard its cause u use low octane and try to run it on synthetic oil too, helps more

I got a Tick sound a lil while ago in my RS..... just put some NOS Octane b4 i filled up and topped my oil off

Oh man mine has just started tapping and sounds as if it's coming from around the timing belt. Is the spring hard to fix???
I hope it's not the other thing cos i only just bought the car!!!

Is it not the hla's(lifters ticking)?

It could be either the HLA's or the timing belt tensioner.

I dunno it's quite a large tapping sound... which gets worse with revs. As I've just bought the car i know sod all about em. Its sounds to be coming from around / under the air intake pipe, and Intake manifold.
Does it sound as if it's gonna be expensive???

Here's the deal, if it gets louder with RPM its deposit buildup in the HLA's. This isn't a good thing, but it can be flushed out. A wonderful referance and a site you should bookmark is Jeff Abrams' www.mazdamaniac.com<p>Go to the site, click on the picture of the MX-3 on the left. In the top left corner will be a menu, move your mouse over it, move to maintance, then go to De-Carbon or Carbon Knock. Follow the instructions, or you can try to find a garage to do it for you.<p>Every K series engine, as you have, will develop a ticking noise that comes from either the HLA (Hydraulic Lifters) or the Cam-Friction Gear which is designed to create a perfectly silent engine. However either one of these will eventually develop a ticking noise that is slightly audible below 2000rpm. Most people will attest though that it is your HLA's, I found that after an oil change or any time the noise is prevalant, if I hold my RPM at 3000 for around three or four minutes that the noise will disappear. It simply pumps up your HLA's with oil and eliminates the ticking.<p>Good Luck to you, and welcome to the Board