I have a 91 SE that I just bought with over 124K on it.

When I pull into a shop or my garage for that matter, I hear ticking and some vacuum noise.

I tried to follow the tick, and it seemed to be coming from the front left area of the main engine space (when you are standing in front of the car, looking over the engine)

I only hear the vacuum/air sound when I am in a closed room, like my garage. The noise makes a "sssssssssss", I'm not sure if it is sucking or blowing air; if it is air.

I know that the descriptions are vague and general, but could someone give me some ideas of whats going on? I know the ticking isn't VTC, because I learned from the great world of MAXIMA.ORG that VTCs come on 92 and up.

Thanks everyone!

 

Could be the dreaded broken exhaust manifold stud. Take a long piece of rubber hose and listen around where the manifold bolts up to the head.

 

its the exhaust stud, I had it on my gxe and my SE is starting to do it.

 

The air sound could be coming from your stock intake tube, mine used to do the same thing. It's completely normal. If it is more of a hissing sound, start checking all the vacuum line to make sure they are plugged in and in good shape. Good luck man!

 

my cai does it when I shut off the car but, I know the sound he's talking about and combined with the ticking its the exhaust studs probably