LT1 Ticking
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 470
Likes: 0
LT1 Ticking
I have a '95 LT1 with a tick. It isn't loud but you can hear it just over the hum of the engine. My mechanic didn't think anything of it, and maybe it is just some GM V8 symphony, but I want to see if I can eliminate it.
The tick does speed up with engine RPMs. I poked around with an automotive stethoscope but didn't come across a specific location ( maybe an exhaust leak? )
To start off the process, I've considered seafoam and switching from Mobil 1 5w to 10w. Which of these two should I try first?
If taking a video with audio would give a clue, could anyone recommend a video recorder that makes it easy to put up the footage online
The tick does speed up with engine RPMs. I poked around with an automotive stethoscope but didn't come across a specific location ( maybe an exhaust leak? )
To start off the process, I've considered seafoam and switching from Mobil 1 5w to 10w. Which of these two should I try first?
If taking a video with audio would give a clue, could anyone recommend a video recorder that makes it easy to put up the footage online
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 773
Likes: 2
From: Minneapolis MN
I use 10w30 in my 94.This shouldn't be too hard to find.If you had a smoke machine you could see if its a exhaust leak.What your oil pressure reading on dash gauge?Check for codes too.When did this start?You have a good life insurance policy & married?Maybe you have a timebomb under the hood
May have to pull the valve covers.Is the noise less when engine is hot or cold?
May have to pull the valve covers.Is the noise less when engine is hot or cold?
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,978
Likes: 244
I've had noisy injectors on a car years ago. You can try puting a screwdriver to each injector and put your ear to it to see if you can isolate the noise, but it might not be an injector. You can hear the rocker arms through the composite valve covers if they are misadjusted and tapping - that is also a possibility.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 470
Likes: 0
I use 10w30 in my 94.This shouldn't be too hard to find.If you had a smoke machine you could see if its a exhaust leak.What your oil pressure reading on dash gauge?Check for codes too.When did this start?You have a good life insurance policy & married?Maybe you have a timebomb under the hoodMay have to pull the valve covers.Is the noise less when engine is hot or cold?
May have to pull the valve covers.Is the noise less when engine is hot or cold?No smoke out the exhuast. Oil pressure is deadon the quarter mark of the analog gauge @ idle 215 degrees. Engine noise does not vary with temperature -- fingers crossed for the injectors
OK, so maybe it's not an injector? The ticking quickens with increasing engine RPMs. Is there a way I can test for the injectors? Would I be able to tell with the stethoscope or is there a disconnection procedure
Last edited by stranded; Aug 17, 2010 at 08:02 AM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 470
Likes: 0
I took another good listen today on my lunch break. I'm now not 100% positive that the tick increases with RPMs. It's hard to tell because the tick is drowned out by the engine when it goes over 1000-1500 RPMs.
Does this sound like injector tick? I figured a bad lifter would be loud enough to be heard even if you increase RPMs. Ill poke around the injectors with my stethoscope when the apt. office people aren't around
Does this sound like injector tick? I figured a bad lifter would be loud enough to be heard even if you increase RPMs. Ill poke around the injectors with my stethoscope when the apt. office people aren't around
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Instructor
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: Miami Florida
I took another good listen today on my lunch break. I'm now not 100% positive that the tick increases with RPMs. It's hard to tell because the tick is drowned out by the engine when it goes over 1000-1500 RPMs.
Does this sound like injector tick? I figured a bad lifter would be loud enough to be heard even if you increase RPMs. Ill poke around the injectors with my stethoscope when the apt. office people aren't around
Does this sound like injector tick? I figured a bad lifter would be loud enough to be heard even if you increase RPMs. Ill poke around the injectors with my stethoscope when the apt. office people aren't around
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
Hi,
My 92 also has an annoying rhythmic ticking. I attribute this to one/more lifters not having the correct pre-load/set valve lash.
The lifters are hydraulic and initially set at the factory for quiet operation/nil zero valve lash and able to adjust for wear.
Setting the lifter preload is an art and requires years of experience to consistently and expediently do this on the assembly line. I would prefer the veteran/seasoned engine assembler vs. the new hire/inexperienced kid performing this on my cars engine.
I had a 1978 Camaro with a 350 that had annoying rhythmic ticking. I adjusted the lifter preload. Afterwards the engine was not only quiet but also idled at a lower rpm.
Get yourself a good manual/patience or better yet find someone who has experience doing this kind of service.
Personally I will live with the annoyance/the wife's constant criticisms until the valve covers leak justifying setting the lifter pre-load/valve lash.
Best of Luck,
92WhiteVetteGuy
My 92 also has an annoying rhythmic ticking. I attribute this to one/more lifters not having the correct pre-load/set valve lash.
The lifters are hydraulic and initially set at the factory for quiet operation/nil zero valve lash and able to adjust for wear.
Setting the lifter preload is an art and requires years of experience to consistently and expediently do this on the assembly line. I would prefer the veteran/seasoned engine assembler vs. the new hire/inexperienced kid performing this on my cars engine.
I had a 1978 Camaro with a 350 that had annoying rhythmic ticking. I adjusted the lifter preload. Afterwards the engine was not only quiet but also idled at a lower rpm.
Get yourself a good manual/patience or better yet find someone who has experience doing this kind of service.
Personally I will live with the annoyance/the wife's constant criticisms until the valve covers leak justifying setting the lifter pre-load/valve lash.
Best of Luck,
92WhiteVetteGuy
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,936
Likes: 92
From: Rochester Hills Michigan
Hi,
My 92 also has an annoying rhythmic ticking. I attribute this to one/more lifters not having the correct pre-load/set valve lash.
The lifters are hydraulic and initially set at the factory for quiet operation/nil zero valve lash and able to adjust for wear.
Setting the lifter preload is an art and requires years of experience to consistently and expediently do this on the assembly line. I would prefer the veteran/seasoned engine assembler vs. the new hire/inexperienced kid performing this on my cars engine.
I had a 1978 Camaro with a 350 that had annoying rhythmic ticking. I adjusted the lifter preload. Afterwards the engine was not only quiet but also idled at a lower rpm.
Get yourself a good manual/patience or better yet find someone who has experience doing this kind of service.
Personally I will live with the annoyance/the wife's constant criticisms until the valve covers leak justifying setting the lifter pre-load/valve lash.
Best of Luck,
92WhiteVetteGuy
My 92 also has an annoying rhythmic ticking. I attribute this to one/more lifters not having the correct pre-load/set valve lash.
The lifters are hydraulic and initially set at the factory for quiet operation/nil zero valve lash and able to adjust for wear.
Setting the lifter preload is an art and requires years of experience to consistently and expediently do this on the assembly line. I would prefer the veteran/seasoned engine assembler vs. the new hire/inexperienced kid performing this on my cars engine.
I had a 1978 Camaro with a 350 that had annoying rhythmic ticking. I adjusted the lifter preload. Afterwards the engine was not only quiet but also idled at a lower rpm.
Get yourself a good manual/patience or better yet find someone who has experience doing this kind of service.
Personally I will live with the annoyance/the wife's constant criticisms until the valve covers leak justifying setting the lifter pre-load/valve lash.
Best of Luck,
92WhiteVetteGuy
Racer
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 402
Likes: 1
From: Tabernacle NJ
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
Racer
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 402
Likes: 1
From: Tabernacle NJ
Quiet = less people think somethings wrong.
Noise = more people think somethings wrong.
My 92's lifters don't tick. The injectors...do.
I'm not doubting you, just raising suspicions.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,936
Likes: 92
From: Rochester Hills Michigan
No. I read an article by Dave McLellan where he described driving a solid-lifter LT-1. He mentioned the solid lifter ticking noise and mentioned that the '92 LT1 ticking reminded him of the solid lifter noise. I'm assuming the noise is injector noise, but the '92 has magnesium valve covers and the '93 and later have composites; cheaper, quieter...Dunno.
I thought I'd prefer solids in my '92 until I saw how much gook I'd have to remove to set the lash!
I thought I'd prefer solids in my '92 until I saw how much gook I'd have to remove to set the lash!
Racer
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 402
Likes: 1
From: Tabernacle NJ
Shouldn't be an issue if you use oils meeting the GM standard (basically any decent synthetic).
My 92's always had synthetic (only mobil 1 from me) and I don't see ANY sludge in there.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,936
Likes: 92
From: Rochester Hills Michigan
I'm not serious about going to solids...