1999 Mazda Protege noise in timing area

Hi petea1,

Thank you for the donation.

Noise problems are never easy without the physical vehicle. If you are able to give a good description of the noise, we might be able to help.

How does the noise sound like? Ticking, knocking?
Does it change with engine speed?
Is noise present when AC is turned On or OFF ?
Is it from exterior of engine or from internal operating parts?
Is there any noticeable engine performance issues?
Was any repairs carried out prior to it happeing?
If you have any other information that you think might help, please let us know.

1. SOUNDS LIKE SPARK TICK AT IDLE BUT IS NOT REGULAR AND IS COMING FROM THE TIMING AREA CAN'T HEAR SOUND PRONOUNCED WHEN ENGINE IS SPED UP.
2. CAR ALSO SEEMS TO BE HOLDING POWER BACK WHEN PUT IN FIRST GEAR AND PUSHING GAS TO THE FLOOR. THEN IT SEEMS TO GET MORE POWER AND THEN GOES BACK THE OTHER WAY. ENGINE BUCKS AND THEN SMOOTHS OUT
3.CAR HAD TIMING BELT REPLACED A YEAR AGO.
4. AC OFF
5. SOUND IS INTERNAL AT TIMING AREA. LISTENED WITH MY EAR.
6. WHAT BROUGHT THIS TO MY ATTENTION WAS THE LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING.

Ticking noise that affects performance could be from the spark plugs and possibly the spark plug wires are bad causing sparks to jump.

I would suggest testing the plug wire resistance, especially the # 1 as it is nearest to the timing belt area.

Remove the spark plugs and compare them to see if there are any irregularities in wear or firing among them.