My car makes a sound that is like tfff tff tfff tfff tfff when the engine is cold and it is slightly cold out. It sounds like it is coming from the passenger side of the engine. I think it sounds like an exhaust leak but it goes away after driving a little. Could it still be an exhaust leak. My car also has a rough idle. Could that be causing it since the leak is probably before the O2's. I also have bosch O2 sensors and I know that is bad. Let me know.

 

Sounds like an exhaust leak to me....take a piece of vacuum hose and use it like a stethascope to track down where the ticking is coming from. Do it while the engine is cold and it will tell you where the leak is coming from. Good luck.

-Matt

 

Better check your spark plugs, too.

 

Hey shoebox, the plugs wouldnt cause the sound though right?? Also, how do I use vaccum hose to find the leak?? I dont really understand that part.

 

Is it a ticking sound? Ticking could be an exhaust leak, ticking injectors, loose spark plugs, failing lifter(s), etc.

 

loose spark plugs allow what is in inside the cylinder which build compression well if a spark plugs loose it allow the compressed gas to escape since it is no longer air tight.

 

I dont think its a lifter. I have heard that sound before. How do you go about finding an exhaust leak. Its also about time I change my sparkplugs too. I have AC Delco plats in the right now and they have been in there for about 4 years. Is it about time to change them??

 

A loose one will sound just like that. That's why I said to check.

Plugs 4 years old should be changed.