Tick, tick, tick...
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: Spokane Washington
Tick, tick, tick...
First, let me say, I am not a gear head.
You could probably trick me into looking for the Johnson rod or make me ask "what's a coquefor?"
That being said... I still love driving my vette.
Now, about a month ago, I started getting a little tick. I don't believe it's exhaust - it doesn't sound like an exhaust leak. It's a tick that has been getting louder and louder. To me it sounds like what people describe as a "lifter making noise".
She's an 86 4+3 manual Coupe.
What would you folks hazard a guess at it being. Have I not given you enough information?
It seems to be louder on the driver side.
Me.
You could probably trick me into looking for the Johnson rod or make me ask "what's a coquefor?"
That being said... I still love driving my vette.
Now, about a month ago, I started getting a little tick. I don't believe it's exhaust - it doesn't sound like an exhaust leak. It's a tick that has been getting louder and louder. To me it sounds like what people describe as a "lifter making noise".
She's an 86 4+3 manual Coupe.
What would you folks hazard a guess at it being. Have I not given you enough information?
It seems to be louder on the driver side.
Me.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 322
Likes: 1
From: Muskego Wisconsin
Is the "tick" emanating from under the hood? If so you can get yourself a Stethoscope or a wooden dowel rod will work. One end against your ear the other..prob the engine. Use caution. But most likely lifter or rocker tick.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: Spokane Washington
I hear it when I'm accelerating.
The harder I accelerate, the louder it is. The faster my RPM's, the faster the ticking.
It is emanating from under the hood.
If it is a lifter or rocker - what are my options?
The harder I accelerate, the louder it is. The faster my RPM's, the faster the ticking.
It is emanating from under the hood.
If it is a lifter or rocker - what are my options?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,141
Likes: 7
From: Metairie Louisiana
In addition to the above check for loose spark plugs. That is also very common and will cause the ticking noise you described. Did you replace or remove them recently? Has your gas mileage gone down? It's always good to retighten them after some miles if they have been worked on. Don't forget to use anti-sieze.
Also check for leaks at the exhaust manifolds/headers. See if any of the bolts are loose. It's also usually necessary to retighten these after some miles if any work has been done on them. If you have new gaskets you may be able to see some exhaust stain on the gasket where it's leaking.
Check for any spark plug/wires arching. I can usually tell just by moving the plugs/wires around when the engine is running. It stops ticking and the idle smoothes out when the arching stops.
Also check for leaks at the exhaust manifolds/headers. See if any of the bolts are loose. It's also usually necessary to retighten these after some miles if any work has been done on them. If you have new gaskets you may be able to see some exhaust stain on the gasket where it's leaking.
Check for any spark plug/wires arching. I can usually tell just by moving the plugs/wires around when the engine is running. It stops ticking and the idle smoothes out when the arching stops.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: Spokane Washington
Tune up late last fall.
New condensor for the AC put in this year.
Last year, before the tune-up, one of the spark plug wires had been burned through while sitting on the engine.
I'll scope some of these things out.
Thanks a million, everyone.
New condensor for the AC put in this year.
Last year, before the tune-up, one of the spark plug wires had been burned through while sitting on the engine.
I'll scope some of these things out.
Thanks a million, everyone.
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Drifting
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,614
Likes: 163
From: Davis CA
A mechanics stethoscope is a great tool to have. You will be amazed by what you can hear. You typically use the rod attached to a diaphragm but you can remove that attachment, leaving a plastic tube that is also helpful in locating sounds.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,356
Likes: 2
From: No HOA, New Hampshire
Cruise-In X Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
In addition to the above check for loose spark plugs. That is also very common and will cause the ticking noise you described. Did you replace or remove them recently? Has your gas mileage gone down? It's always good to retighten them after some miles if they have been worked on. Don't forget to use anti-sieze.
Also check for leaks at the exhaust manifolds/headers. See if any of the bolts are loose. It's also usually necessary to retighten these after some miles if any work has been done on them. If you have new gaskets you may be able to see some exhaust stain on the gasket where it's leaking.
Check for any spark plug/wires arching. I can usually tell just by moving the plugs/wires around when the engine is running. It stops ticking and the idle smoothes out when the arching stops.
Also check for leaks at the exhaust manifolds/headers. See if any of the bolts are loose. It's also usually necessary to retighten these after some miles if any work has been done on them. If you have new gaskets you may be able to see some exhaust stain on the gasket where it's leaking.
Check for any spark plug/wires arching. I can usually tell just by moving the plugs/wires around when the engine is running. It stops ticking and the idle smoothes out when the arching stops.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
check you rotor
I just had to replace my cap and rotor due to a screw coming loose and the rotor was spinning around off balance it made a tick at idle and when i accelerated it got faster and much louder I have an 86 BTW
I just had to replace my cap and rotor due to a screw coming loose and the rotor was spinning around off balance it made a tick at idle and when i accelerated it got faster and much louder I have an 86 BTW
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 248
Likes: 0
From: Mount Clemens Michigan
im gonna go out on limb here and DEFINITLY say its a lifter or rocker... theres an easy way to check for a lifter problem and most here are gonna say its bad and it might be but not seriously...
if youre using a convetional Oil.. go get it changed to a little heavier weight...
for example if you use 5w-30... try going and getting it changed to 10w-30
if the heavier weight quiets it down.. its a lifter and/or rocker.. and fix it soon
if youre using a convetional Oil.. go get it changed to a little heavier weight...
for example if you use 5w-30... try going and getting it changed to 10w-30
if the heavier weight quiets it down.. its a lifter and/or rocker.. and fix it soon
