Leak at head or manifold?

This is what I think this is after reading a few posts, but here's the story just for a few other opinions.
I spent about twenty minutes of a long drive between 5000 and 6200 rpm in fifth :rolleyes: ...when I backed off for a sip of gas, I heard my valve train clattering away. Oil levels were fine, oil pressure fine(stock gauge anyhow). The sound continued for the remaining 150 km.
I shut it down and didn't start it again for two days.
When I did start it( it was cold -30), I opened the hood to see and hear what I could. There were puffs of smoke comming from sides of the engine, below the head(I couldn't really tell from where exactly). The smoke stopped pretty quick. The clicking noises faded away after the car was warmed up...I got the car back home again(500km).I'm driving it now with this clicking happening intermitently, especially right at start up...
I am curious if there any other sensical options for a cause.
Sorry about the lenth, but a good history helps.

i also have the same thing(the smoke and the noise). it only happens when it's very cold. after warm up, all the noise is gone. i also dont' know why , but i think it's the lifter.

Thank you,dan.
Anyone else?

I'd say the exhaust manifold gasket is leaking, or the manifold has cracked.

Ok David I believe you have more than one problem here so try the check list approach to scratch off things it not. We will leave the 6000 rpm in 5th for the OPP to solve

Smoke under the hood beneath the head on the timing belt side is most likely a cracked exhaust manifold stud and its leaking. A fairly common problem but not entirely cheap if you cant do the labour yourself. The fact the the smoke stopped was the mani heats up fast, expands and seals the leak.

stud fix


The clicking or tapping noise at start up is most likely lifters and when the car warms up and circulates the noise will disappear. From your description though the clicking happened on a fully warm engine after a high speed run. Did the clicking start when you backed off the throttle or when you restarted the car after filling up. If it happened when you were still at speed its not likely to be lifters and could be a lot more serious. You say it was valve train but if the tapping is lower then start saving your pennies for an engine rebuild.

The clicking started when I backed off the throttle.
OPP where not in evidence!Not something I do lot of...

5th gear at 5000 rpm ... :rolleyes:

Like no one has gone fast in their life.
Anyways.

If the ticking is continuing every so often while you drive then it sounds like a spun bearing . Time to pull the pan and take a look.