Staring getting dreaded engine noise
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Staring getting dreaded engine noise
Have a 2002 Z and just started getting the 'sounds like a sewing machine' noise from the engine.. Have 28,000 miles .. Is this normal .. Would appreciate any feedback as I am getting ready for road trip
Thanks ahead of time
Thanks ahead of time
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
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From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
The LS1 is well known for piston slap on start but that normally clears after a very short time. You may have an issue with the lifters. Its hard to diagnose these things without hearing the noise. I'll assume its a top end noise from how you describe it.
The Service Manual diagnostics for "Upper Engine Noise, Regardless of Engine Speed" are:
Low Oil Pressure
Loose and or worn rocker valve assembly
Worn or damaged valve rocker arm
Bent or damaged push rod
Improper lubrication of the valve rocker arm
Broken valve spring
Loose or broken valve lifter guide
Worn or dirty valve lifters
Stretched or broken timing chain and/or damaged sprocket teeth
Worn engine cam lobes
worn valve guides or valve stems
Stuck valves
Dont want to frighten you at this stage. Its clearly not some of those problems at this stage but none of those are trivial. Oil pressure is easy enough to check. Is it normal? The fact it's a permanent noise is not good in my humble experience.
You haven't filled out your profile. Are you mechanically inclined or will you need a dealer?? You could post up in tech where there are some smart guys who have stripped their engines down and will give moreadvice.
I could be way off here and it could be something minor but I'm not sure I'd want to do a long road trip if it is a problem with lifters. Youd run the risk of damage. I'd have it checked out before I put too many miles on it. A new LS1 is not a small amount of $$
The Service Manual diagnostics for "Upper Engine Noise, Regardless of Engine Speed" are:
Low Oil Pressure
Loose and or worn rocker valve assembly
Worn or damaged valve rocker arm
Bent or damaged push rod
Improper lubrication of the valve rocker arm
Broken valve spring
Loose or broken valve lifter guide
Worn or dirty valve lifters
Stretched or broken timing chain and/or damaged sprocket teeth
Worn engine cam lobes
worn valve guides or valve stems
Stuck valves
Dont want to frighten you at this stage. Its clearly not some of those problems at this stage but none of those are trivial. Oil pressure is easy enough to check. Is it normal? The fact it's a permanent noise is not good in my humble experience.
You haven't filled out your profile. Are you mechanically inclined or will you need a dealer?? You could post up in tech where there are some smart guys who have stripped their engines down and will give moreadvice.
I could be way off here and it could be something minor but I'm not sure I'd want to do a long road trip if it is a problem with lifters. Youd run the risk of damage. I'd have it checked out before I put too many miles on it. A new LS1 is not a small amount of $$
Last edited by DeeGee; Jul 26, 2008 at 04:29 AM.
