[b1gdaddy98]

Ok, I've had my 98 v6 for a month now and everything is great. Being a black car, it shows up every little bit of scratch that happens to it. So my first question is, What is the best scratch removal other than new paint? All of these are like surface scratches, nothing deep.

My 2nd question is, the car runs great, but there is a continuous pingin/tickin noise at idle, it just started happening within the last week. It sounds like it's coming from the Passenger side of the engine compartment, I tried getting a video but was unable to. I'll try to get one tomorrow.

[Matt.]

touch up paint. works alright. But people with black cares swear by turle wax, they have a special kit for black cars which makes scuffs and scrapes look invisible. (its masks it really well but dosnt fix it) you can also wax away very small scratches. Rubbing compound may help with small ones too.

The ticking/ pining is bad if its comming from the engine, its detinating when its not sapose too.This might be becuase you advanced your timing? If its not what I think it is, hopefully its not. Then Idk haha

[b1gdaddy98]

Ok, yeah i bought some wax that says it buffs out small scratches the other day. I'm going to try it next friday before our NCMM Meet thing.

As for the ticking/pinging I was worried it was detinating but I haven't advanced any timing or anything....any way to fix it?

[mcqueen]

Check your passenger exhaust manifold for cracks (spray a little soap/water solution on it and watch for bubbles. The A/C drips water onto that manifold and it great at cracking it.

[b1gdaddy98]

ok i'll try that tomorrow or this weekend, it's pouring outside right now.

[b1gdaddy98]

say it is that, how difficult is the fix? and what else cld it might be if it's not that?

[mcqueen]

The fix would be about as simple as taking the car back to your exhaust guy and asking him to weld the crack. You could also see if he's fab up a little plate toe divert the water drip so it doesn't happen again.

It could be a number of other things. If it is detonation (you don't have to advance your timing to get detonation) you could try running a higher octane fuel. I'm sure there are a number of other things that can cause ticking noises, but let's not get worried about lifters and whatnot just yet

[b1gdaddy98]

Ok, i'll try the soap water first. I was goin to try 93 fuel soon cuz i'm bout to get a tuner also. But hopefully it's not detonation...we'll see