1987 C4 ticking problems
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Springfield Missouri
1987 C4 ticking problems
My car sat with the intake off of it and the motor uncovered(hood closed) for about a month. It had a slight ticking noise when i shut her down, now the ticking is very loud and defined. It has oil and all fluids are good, just the lifter/rocker is ticking very loudly. How would I go about diagnosing what is exactly wrong and/or fixing said problem? Thank you!
PS: also just replaced the spark plugs...maybe that as well?
PS: also just replaced the spark plugs...maybe that as well?
Last edited by im2gq4u; Sep 28, 2008 at 02:18 AM.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Springfield Missouri
middle of the block it seems like since its from both sides i hear the ticking and its a singular ticking. I ran a motor flush and it still is a pretty violent ticking goin on.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Unplug injectors one at a time with engine idling. This will find a ticking injector if that is the problem. If it isn't, then most likely it is a stuck valve and the rocker/push rod is ticking. Remove the valve covers and put old towels below the heads to prevent oil from getting on the manifolds and elsewhere. Start engine and look for the stuck valve.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,954
Likes: 2
From: Obama=death for America
Did you happen to do an oil change in-between the work you did? The reason I ask is that sometimes, engines prefer a certain grade of oil in certain temperature(s) and if you use a grade that the car doesn't like, you can get ticking noises as you described.
You need to fill out your profile. I tried to see what part of the country you're in (trying to determine if it's hot where you are) and nothing was filled out.
Do an oil change and go with a slightly thick oil and see if the noise changes. The thicker oil can quiet a noisy lifter. You can always change the oil back again if it does nothing. This is a real easy and fairly inexpensive test. Make sure you also change the oil filter.
You need to fill out your profile. I tried to see what part of the country you're in (trying to determine if it's hot where you are) and nothing was filled out.
Do an oil change and go with a slightly thick oil and see if the noise changes. The thicker oil can quiet a noisy lifter. You can always change the oil back again if it does nothing. This is a real easy and fairly inexpensive test. Make sure you also change the oil filter.
Last edited by 85 500 horse; Sep 29, 2008 at 06:12 AM.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Springfield Missouri
well i changed the oil from 5-30 to 10-40. Im in southwest missouri and yeah i did an oil change between the intake swap to get the water from the intake out of the oil galley. I ran a motor flush before the oil change and then cut the filter open from the old oil...i found specks of metal in the filter. Stuck lifter? ill check the valves.
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Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,966
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From: Made In America
St. Jude Donor '10-'11
Sounds like an exaust manifold gasket. Mine was shot with a stripped bolt, it made a god awful ticking noise from the engine bay towards the middle and back area of the block.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Springfield Missouri
nope, it was one of the lifters. It had rusted and seized up, thus doing a little damage to the cam on the dry start up. I have bought an LT1 cam and new lifters in order to remedy this.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,954
Likes: 2
From: Obama=death for America
I wasn't right about the oil being the culprit, but I was right about the lifter. I'm glad you found the problem. Whether or not I helped you find it, is irrelevant. I'm glad you tracked it down and your car will be back to normal in no time.
