# Ticking noise from vw jetta 3 1.8i head

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/ticking-noise-from-vw-jetta-3-1-8i-head/95572>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [September 12, 2016, 8:19am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ticking-noise-from-vw-jetta-3-1-8i-head/95572 "2016-09-12T08:19:39Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![jo12](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ee7513/32.png) [@jo12](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jo12)\
**Post date:** [September 12, 2016, 8:19am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ticking-noise-from-vw-jetta-3-1-8i-head/95572/1 "2016-09-12T08:19:39Z")

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Hi Guys,

I have this noise on my cars head, its like a ticking noise that is coming from the top, more towards the back of the head.

It sounds like a bad lifter sound and gets louder with acceleration.

I have did a complete head overhaul  
-changed valves  
-lifters  
-seals  
-guides

- also did oil pressure test and everything seems fine.

but he noise is still there, any advice?

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**Author:** ![Yosemite](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/yosemite/32/643_2.png) [@Yosemite](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Yosemite)\
**Post date:** [September 12, 2016, 12:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ticking-noise-from-vw-jetta-3-1-8i-head/95572/2 "2016-09-12T12:12:18Z")

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When you overhauled the head did you replace the valve springs?

Did you lap the valves before assembling everything?

Also to clarify…did you do this work yourself, or was the head taken to a shop to be rebuilt?

Yosemite

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**Author:** ![circuitsmith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/circuitsmith/32/40376_2.png) [@circuitsmith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/circuitsmith)\
**Post date:** [September 12, 2016, 1:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ticking-noise-from-vw-jetta-3-1-8i-head/95572/3 "2016-09-12T13:48:33Z")

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Use a stethescope or hose to the ear to pinpoint the location of the tick.  
It could be a cracked exhaust manifold or leaking gasket (if it wasn’t changed during the head work).

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**Author:** ![jo12](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ee7513/32.png) [@jo12](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jo12)\
**Post date:** [September 13, 2016, 6:43am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ticking-noise-from-vw-jetta-3-1-8i-head/95572/4 "2016-09-13T06:43:51Z")

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Hi,

The head was sent in to a engineer

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**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\
**Post date:** [September 13, 2016, 6:50am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ticking-noise-from-vw-jetta-3-1-8i-head/95572/5 "2016-09-13T06:50:47Z")

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Check for exhaust leaks from the exhaust manifold. Individual cylinder exhaust leaks produce a “tick” sound, more so under load.