[Z06] "ticking" noise
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,087
Likes: 4
From: granville mass
"ticking" noise
Sounds like my 03, 16k mile car has a ticking lifter or rocker arm, or ???
It is deffinately a light noise, not piston slap or piston pin, and absoulutely not a bearing noise.
It comes and goes, but is there more often than a couple of weeks ago when I first noticed it. The car has had the same noise when cold in the past, but now it's not going away some of the time. Seems to be coming from the rear of the driver's side valve cover area.
Is there some common thing that I should be looking for?
I have zero experience with LSx engines. In my older SBCs I'd just be tightening up a rocker arm. Is that possible with this engine? (sorry if that's a dumb question)
mk
It is deffinately a light noise, not piston slap or piston pin, and absoulutely not a bearing noise.
It comes and goes, but is there more often than a couple of weeks ago when I first noticed it. The car has had the same noise when cold in the past, but now it's not going away some of the time. Seems to be coming from the rear of the driver's side valve cover area.
Is there some common thing that I should be looking for?
I have zero experience with LSx engines. In my older SBCs I'd just be tightening up a rocker arm. Is that possible with this engine? (sorry if that's a dumb question)
mk
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 196
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 755
Likes: 3
From: Houston Texas
OP, I hear that very lightly--not worried about it at all. 68kmi.
Last edited by Texan1Z06; Oct 3, 2009 at 01:09 AM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,087
Likes: 4
From: granville mass
This is not the common sounds that the engine has made for the last four years I've owned the car.
This is a distinct RPM related noise coming from only one side of the motor.
Are these lifter/rockers adjustable?
Are there any issues with the rockers like the LS7 had>
It's not normal, it's not related to the hoodliner, it's something different, that I'm sure is in the valve train.
This is a distinct RPM related noise coming from only one side of the motor.
Are these lifter/rockers adjustable?
Are there any issues with the rockers like the LS7 had>
It's not normal, it's not related to the hoodliner, it's something different, that I'm sure is in the valve train.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 4,541
Likes: 385
From: Fort Worth Texas
Actually I can say whatever I choose to say, being that I have owned over 100 LS powered cars. A Z06 with only 16k, assuming it is stock, would be very normal to hear light noise.
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,087
Likes: 4
From: granville mass
It may seem wrong, but though I've built at least a dozen SBCs in my time, and even know some of the old cam numbers by heart, I've never been under the valve cover.
I don't know what to look for once the cover is off, and running the engine with the VC off is not necessarily going to find anything because the noise comes and goes. Can I just rotate the push rod and look for one that's looser than the other.
I'm guessing a lifter going a little soft, which on my other engines would have just required a half turn on the rocker arm nut, but with the roller lifters and rockers, don't know how they're set.
Oil was at 45% remaining, I changed it, and no difference.
mk
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,618
Likes: 5
From: Overland Park KS
Could it be an injector?? If not I would say it's probably a lifter or rocker arm..
I had a ticking sound and everyone said it was normal
. Another thousand miles and the noise decided to change to a loud hammer on steel sound. Lifter roller broke apart....
Forged LS3 with Morel lifters and no worries now...
If you don't find anything, maybe plan for some head work...and while the heads are off replace the lifters. Seems like a cheap replacement vs. saying you are having to remove the heads "only" to replace the lifters
I had a ticking sound and everyone said it was normal
. Another thousand miles and the noise decided to change to a loud hammer on steel sound. Lifter roller broke apart....Forged LS3 with Morel lifters and no worries now...
If you don't find anything, maybe plan for some head work...and while the heads are off replace the lifters. Seems like a cheap replacement vs. saying you are having to remove the heads "only" to replace the lifters
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 755
Likes: 3
From: Houston Texas
