Tapping sound on a 93 TBird

[flaggship]

I have a 93 Tbird with 3.8 V6, auto tranny and just over 90,000 miles on it. I have begun to notice that when I accelerate, or right after vehicle shifts from 1st to 2nd or 2nd to 3rd, I hear a tapping sound that seems to be coming from the engine. I have noticed the same sound when cruising at speeds from 35 on up when I accelerate slightly to pick up speed. I also hear the sound when accelerating hard to get on the freeway. When idling, the engine sounds fine. The check engine light came on several times several months ago but always went out and has not come back on since. Other than this sound, the car starts and runs fine. Anyone else ever experienced this and know what it might be? I hope it is not a sticky valve. If it were a valve problem, wouldn't I hear it when idling also? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[2-77s, 1-85, 2-86 TCs]

It's hard to tell without listening to the car in person, but my (uneducated) guess would possibly be a clogged and/or slightly bent pushrod, or maybe a bad lifter. Just guessing. Like I said, it's hard to tell without hearing it first-hand.

Rick

[Lazy Bird]

Originally posted by flaggship:
I have a 93 Tbird with 3.8 V6, auto tranny and just over 90,000 miles on it. I have begun to notice that when I accelerate, or right after vehicle shifts from 1st to 2nd or 2nd to 3rd, I hear a tapping sound that seems to be coming from the engine. I have noticed the same sound when cruising at speeds from 35 on up when I accelerate slightly to pick up speed. I also hear the sound when accelerating hard to get on the freeway. When idling, the engine sounds fine. The check engine light came on several times several months ago but always went out and has not come back on since. Other than this sound, the car starts and runs fine. Anyone else ever experienced this and know what it might be? I hope it is not a sticky valve. If it were a valve problem, wouldn't I hear it when idling also? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

I had a loose spark plug once that did what you discribed. Might check and make sure that they are all tight. Good luck

[A1R RESQ]

Do you have enough oil in it? I know it sounds like a dumb question, but that will make a tapping noise. (experiance!) My '93 has 210,000 on it and the only thing I had wrong was a blown head gasket at 110,000. :confused: