Whats this noise????!!!!!!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,751
Likes: 1
From: Miami, FL, USA
Whats this noise????!!!!!!
I have a noise coming from the front passenger side of the engine. It sounds exactly like an exhaust leak. It only rears its head on idle. I just installed Hooker Headers and we checked the gaskets over and over, they are completely intact, almost new, put in new ones anyways. One guy says its a lifter, but it only sounds on idle, and it wasnt noticable before the headers, I also did an oil change on that weekend I put in Mobil 1 Tri-Synthetic 10w-30. I think i had the same thing in it before, just not this new tri-synthetic blend. If its a lifter, how can I be sure? I opene the oil filler cap on that side and stuck a tube in their to listen, and I just hear the valvetrain riveting away like normal.
It sounds like an exhaust leak, but we cant find it!!! Help!!!!
It sounds like an exhaust leak, but we cant find it!!! Help!!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 6,294
Likes: 0
From: Amateur driver on open course.
Re: Whats this noise????!!!!!! (GusBustamanteJr)
I can't help with your noise, but your name...are you related to Francisco Bustamante, the great pool player??
[Modified by 95AquaC4, 9:07 PM 9/3/2002]
[Modified by 95AquaC4, 9:07 PM 9/3/2002]
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,857
Likes: 0
From: Yakima WA
Re: Whats this noise????!!!!!! (GusBustamanteJr)
I had a similiar "fluttering" sound coming from the right side. (Sounded like front passenger door area). I am sure it is an exhaust leak. I have had the flowmaster put on, still the noise, the new cat put on, still the noise. Shop welded what they thought was a leak, still the noise. Could it be coming from the pre-cat area? How can we track these things down. It is annoying as heck.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,751
Likes: 1
From: Miami, FL, USA
Re: Whats this noise????!!!!!! (dbwade36)
Im not related to those hooligans- getting me in trouble all the time!
The noise seems to come from up under the AC compressor or right in the middle of the center exhaust ports on the head. Scorp, where and how did you locate your leaks? I though these Hookers were good stuff? Would going to 10w-40 quiet a bad lifter so i could eliminate that as the culprit?
Darn it, everything was going so good!!!!!!! Now I hate to drive it with that noise, it looks bad for a Vette to tick like that!
The noise seems to come from up under the AC compressor or right in the middle of the center exhaust ports on the head. Scorp, where and how did you locate your leaks? I though these Hookers were good stuff? Would going to 10w-40 quiet a bad lifter so i could eliminate that as the culprit?
Darn it, everything was going so good!!!!!!! Now I hate to drive it with that noise, it looks bad for a Vette to tick like that!
Pro
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 702
Likes: 1
From: the corner of walk and dont walk
Re: Whats this noise????!!!!!! (GusBustamanteJr)
If you have the car idling, have someome(wearing gloves or at least some rags) cover the exhaust one side for true duals or both sides for "y" duals, and the leak will get louder. Usually it will actually hiss loud, and then you can hear it better, as well as feel it leaking, because of the pressure building in the exhauts. If still not sure, use either a long screw driver or a broom handle and put it against the head,intake,brackets, a/c pump,etc., in the area of the noise and put the other end against your ear! :crazy: It works kind of like a stethescope, and you will be able to detect the noise easier if it is something other that exhaust. Good luck! :cheers:
Former Vendor
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,204
Likes: 6
From: St Marys PA
Re: Whats this noise????!!!!!! (GusBustamanteJr)
Try retightening all your header bolts. I had one that was a hard as heck to get at and when I finally spent about 3 hrs making a tool and working on tightening it the exhaust leak stopped.
You should be able to hear it louder under acceleration if indeed its an exhaust leak. I could really here it bouncing off houses as I drove in town.
If its a lifter then thicker oil, if it does quiet it, is just going to mask the problem.
Also you might want to loosen the header bolts, and tighten them from the center outwards towards both ends. You may be causing a bind. Just a thought.
You should be able to hear it louder under acceleration if indeed its an exhaust leak. I could really here it bouncing off houses as I drove in town.
If its a lifter then thicker oil, if it does quiet it, is just going to mask the problem.
Also you might want to loosen the header bolts, and tighten them from the center outwards towards both ends. You may be causing a bind. Just a thought.
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,751
Likes: 1
From: Miami, FL, USA
Re: Whats this noise????!!!!!! (87Beast)
Took all of your advice tonight. I think we ruled out the lifter, and the header gaskets. We think it may be a cracked head. When we pull the coil and turn it over, we can hear a lot of compression on the stroke escaping the engine. We couldnt quite well find it, it was really hot, but we are going to try to find it on Saturday morning. It could be leaking from a plug ( I am hoping!) or maybe the head gasket, but wouldnt I have water in my oil? Is it possible to crack the head by overtightening the headers? I thought aluminum would give a little?? Anybody have tips for finding cracks or leaks in the heads?
I will be pretty upset if i have to buy new heads, these are nice heads as they are. DARN!!!
I will be pretty upset if i have to buy new heads, these are nice heads as they are. DARN!!!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,751
Likes: 1
From: Miami, FL, USA
Re: Whats this noise????!!!!!! (GusBustamanteJr)
Also, what heads would be a good replacement at a cheap price? Or can these be repaired? Also, could I just buy the identical replacement head for that side only?
[Modified by GusBustamanteJr, 11:54 AM 9/5/2002]
[Modified by GusBustamanteJr, 11:54 AM 9/5/2002]
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,751
Likes: 1
From: Miami, FL, USA
Re: (scorp508)
Ouch, I tried that, dont want to do that!!!
I think its the head anyways.
I cant find a cam in stock anywhere!!!! Comp Cams doesnt even have stuff in stock!
Hot Cam is starting to look good.
I think its the head anyways.
I cant find a cam in stock anywhere!!!! Comp Cams doesnt even have stuff in stock!
Hot Cam is starting to look good.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,168
Likes: 16
From: Phoenix AZ
Re: (GusBustamanteJr)
The best way to find your leak is with a 2' piece of 1/2" hose or tubing. Put one end up to your ear and the other where you suspect the leak is. You'll find it in seconds. Also, I had a problem like yours on my '86 and it was the EGR pipe. I don't know if your EGR setup is even close, though, I know they changed it in '87.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,751
Likes: 1
From: Miami, FL, USA
Re: (vetracer)
Found it guys!
Believe it or not i had a spark plug partially cross threaded! it was blowing out through there. Also- for those of you running Air pump eliminater and headers.......
I cracked the alternator case while driving under heavy load. I needed to fabricate a new bracket to run from the alternator to the header. The old one was too short because the manifolds where thicker. Better catch it before it breaks.
Believe it or not i had a spark plug partially cross threaded! it was blowing out through there. Also- for those of you running Air pump eliminater and headers.......
I cracked the alternator case while driving under heavy load. I needed to fabricate a new bracket to run from the alternator to the header. The old one was too short because the manifolds where thicker. Better catch it before it breaks.
