C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

intermittent ticking

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Old Mar 8, 2007 | 01:16 PM
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Default intermittent ticking

This is driving me crazy! I get a ticking as if Im low on oil (but Im not). It never occurs when the car is cold. Once warmed up, the ticking varies from loud, quiet, or completely silent.

Both times I brought it in the the shop, the ticking stopped once I got there! They could not hear it. Of course it started up again on the way home.

What could cause such an intermittent tick? This is on an LT4.


Last edited by CNTDRV55; Mar 8, 2007 at 01:19 PM.
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Old Mar 8, 2007 | 02:18 PM
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Sounds to me like a weak lifter or an exhaust leak. Try a listening device to locate the source of the noise when you hear it. Sometimes even a screw driver to your ear will work. Good luck.
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Old Mar 8, 2007 | 02:38 PM
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Originally Posted by capevettes
Try a listening device to locate the source of the noise when you hear it.
Could be a bad cat...put a "listening device" to each one and you'll know real quick if that's the problem.
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Old Mar 8, 2007 | 05:09 PM
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Originally Posted by capevettes
Sounds to me like a weak lifter or an exhaust leak. Try a listening device to locate the source of the noise when you hear it. Sometimes even a screw driver to your ear will work. Good luck.

Owwww! how far do you suppose I push it in?
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Old Mar 9, 2007 | 07:46 AM
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From your description, sounds like its either a lifter thats out of adjustment or a fuel injector. The best way to find out is to use a mechanics stethoscope (cheap from Harbor Freight).

Good luck and get back to us with what you find out.
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Old Mar 9, 2007 | 02:55 PM
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Originally Posted by elefkow
Good luck and get back to us with what you find out.
I got the stethoscope yesterday. Will narrow it down this weekend. Lets hope its not a lifter. Thanks
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Old Mar 13, 2007 | 06:04 PM
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Originally Posted by CNTDRV55
I got the stethoscope yesterday. Will narrow it down this weekend. Lets hope its not a lifter. Thanks
Bummer. Lifter.

Chevy said that my car was too old and had too many miles to fix. (Estimate WOULD have been ~1100).

Took it to Keith Craft here in Plano and Ill get compcam's lifters in for ~700!!

Thanks Chevy!!!!
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Old Mar 15, 2007 | 12:25 AM
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Originally Posted by CNTDRV55
Bummer. Lifter.

Chevy said that my car was too old and had too many miles to fix. (Estimate WOULD have been ~1100).

Took it to Keith Craft here in Plano and Ill get compcam's lifters in for ~700!!

Thanks Chevy!!!!
They are just saying that because they want you to buy a new one
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Old Mar 15, 2007 | 12:45 AM
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Don't wind it up.

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Old Mar 15, 2007 | 03:47 PM
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I haven't tried this on my vette, but did it on a Cad and it seemed to do wonders. A mech friend said to fix top end problems due to carbon, pour trans fluid, one qt, thru the intake while reving the engine. Make sure you do it somewhere unpopulated, cause it makes a huge cloud. change the oil immediately after. Pour the fluid slowly...
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Old Mar 15, 2007 | 04:04 PM
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Originally Posted by thebeerman
I haven't tried this on my vette, but did it on a Cad and it seemed to do wonders. A mech friend said to fix top end problems due to carbon, pour trans fluid, one qt, thru the intake while reving the engine. Make sure you do it somewhere unpopulated, cause it makes a huge cloud. change the oil immediately after. Pour the fluid slowly...
Lifters are not located in the "top end" They are located outside of the combustion chamber. Therefore, pouring something into the intake will have absolutely no effect on the lifters.

Might do a number on the spark plugs though...and we all know how easy it is to change the plugs in a C4.
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Old Apr 20, 2007 | 05:43 PM
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Default Not lifters after all.

I had the lifters changed, and the prob was right back that day. I brought it back to the shop and the ticking went away again. It stayed quiet for the last couple of weeks, and now its back!

Same baloney.......only when warmed up. Bizarre.

Last edited by CNTDRV55; Apr 20, 2007 at 06:17 PM.
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Old Apr 20, 2007 | 08:46 PM
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I had a similar problem on my 94. After visiting several shops with no solution, it ended up just being a loose spark plug. May not be your problem, but worth a shot. Checking them is free.
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