Valves are loud. REALLY loud - The Ford Focus Forum

**SHContempt** · 08-27-2009, 01:43 AM

clatta clatta clatta clatta clat. That's all I hear from outside my car. I'm just wondering if SVT's are normally this loud with their valves. If not am I going to have to adjust my valve lash to quiet them. Also with them being this loud could this potentially cause a future problem (meaning I should get on this right away?)

**CaysE** · 08-27-2009, 08:31 AM

They are typically a bit loud, but exceptionally loud tapping will trigger the knock sensor causing a drop in power. It's not necessarily bad, just not efficient. You can't adjust valve lash on these heads, though... you have to measure your tappet-to-cam clearance, then measure the height of the tappet, and determine what size tappet is needed to get the clearance you want. The whole job requires removal of the cams, so it would be best to replace your timing belt, timing tensioner and timing idler at the same time.

Timing belt replacement: http://forums.focaljet.com/svt-headq...ols-ready.html

Tappet replacement: http://forums.focaljet.com/zetec-tun...ance-help.html

Be sure to read through the threads in their entirety... there is wrong information early on that is corrected in later posts.

**bmylez** · 08-27-2009, 12:15 PM

My valves are stupid loud as well. I was actually wondering if it would cause my motor to pull timing...the car runs strong, so it doesn't seem like it, but perhaps the ECU is pulling just enough timing to negate my cams. I'm trying to get help with changing the tappets, but the person is busy all the time...*sigh*

To the OP: if the noise developed on its own and you didn't change anything, yes, you should get it looked at. I know the source of my noise and the car has been running for 25k miles like that.

**sleestak** · 08-27-2009, 01:03 PM

if it sounds like a sewing machine, it's normal.

**InfraRedSVTF** · 08-27-2009, 02:24 PM

With the knock sensors in these cars they should not pull timing from valve noise. They are tuned to listen for a specific detonation ping and will ignore the valve chatter. You can tap the exhaust manifold with a hammer and watch the Knock Sensor PID and Spark Adv PID the Spark Adv will stay the same.

08-27-2009, 01:43 AM	#1 (permalink)
SHContempt Rookie Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 44	Valves are loud. REALLY loud clatta clatta clatta clatta clat. That's all I hear from outside my car. I'm just wondering if SVT's are normally this loud with their valves. If not am I going to have to adjust my valve lash to quiet them. Also with them being this loud could this potentially cause a future problem (meaning I should get on this right away?) __________________ 2002 SVTF, CD Silver. A work in progress :D

08-27-2009, 08:31 AM	#2 (permalink)
CaysE EDM Specialist Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bloomfield, NJ Posts: 10,930	Re: Valves are loud. REALLY loud They are typically a bit loud, but exceptionally loud tapping will trigger the knock sensor causing a drop in power. It's not necessarily bad, just not efficient. You can't adjust valve lash on these heads, though... you have to measure your tappet-to-cam clearance, then measure the height of the tappet, and determine what size tappet is needed to get the clearance you want. The whole job requires removal of the cams, so it would be best to replace your timing belt, timing tensioner and timing idler at the same time. Timing belt replacement: http://forums.focaljet.com/svt-headq...ols-ready.html Tappet replacement: http://forums.focaljet.com/zetec-tun...ance-help.html Be sure to read through the threads in their entirety... there is wrong information early on that is corrected in later posts. __________________ 2002 Liquid Grey ZX3 ··· SVT replica-in-progress 2003 Vermilion Red SVTf ··· ported JRSC BBK, ported head, 3" exhaust, Euro interior, more to come! strictly/focused • team edm

08-27-2009, 12:15 PM	#3 (permalink)
bmylez Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Lackland AFB, TX Posts: 2,432	Re: Valves are loud. REALLY loud My valves are stupid loud as well. I was actually wondering if it would cause my motor to pull timing...the car runs strong, so it doesn't seem like it, but perhaps the ECU is pulling just enough timing to negate my cams. I'm trying to get help with changing the tappets, but the person is busy all the time...sigh To the OP: if the noise developed on its own and you didn't change anything, yes, you should get it looked at. I know the source of my noise and the car has been running for 25k miles like that. __________________ 2002 SVTF: custom cams, HFC, HKS exhaust, etc. SBC stg 3 + Torsen LSD Aaron @ English Racing - "I can't remember the last time I was impressed by a Ford, but I was impressed by yours." Top Speed manifold/downpipe, t3/t4 57 trim, 'nuff said

08-27-2009, 01:03 PM	#4 (permalink)
sleestak TEAM Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: high altitude Posts: 766	Re: Valves are loud. REALLY loud if it sounds like a sewing machine, it's normal. __________________ ..:: sleestak ::.. Keepin' the Rubber Side Down "Our mother of blessed accelleration, don't fail us now" -- Elwood Blues

08-27-2009, 02:24 PM	#5 (permalink)
InfraRedSVTF TEAM Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 129	Re: Valves are loud. REALLY loud With the knock sensors in these cars they should not pull timing from valve noise. They are tuned to listen for a specific detonation ping and will ignore the valve chatter. You can tap the exhaust manifold with a hammer and watch the Knock Sensor PID and Spark Adv PID the Spark Adv will stay the same. __________________ 2002 Infra Red SVT ZX3 mods: SRI, MSD Coil Pack and 8.5mm Wires, ORP, 3in Flex Pipe back exhaust, 67mm TB: 157whp 143wtq tuned by Adam @ Cincy Speed

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