Noisy Lifters?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 258
Likes: 1
From: Hamilton MT
Noisy Lifters?
I have an 03 with 46k miles. I previously owned a 97 with 76K miles. That one was quiet. My 03 sounds like noisy lifters, or pistons? A ticking sound.
I posted this quite a while ago on the forum and was advised to switch from 5w-30 Mobil 1 to 10w Mobile 1. Now it is noisier than before.
Under that thread of noisy pistons and lifters, I listened to a sound bite and it did sound like mine. Then they recommended BG44K fuel additive.
I do take short trips into town, not too much highway travel. Could it be carbon?
Was it a mistake to switch to 10w?
I value your opinions and would sure appreciate some help.
I know it is probably nothing to worry about but I hate unnecessary noise and would love to quiet it down some. My pressure and temps are good.
Thanks
I posted this quite a while ago on the forum and was advised to switch from 5w-30 Mobil 1 to 10w Mobile 1. Now it is noisier than before.
Under that thread of noisy pistons and lifters, I listened to a sound bite and it did sound like mine. Then they recommended BG44K fuel additive.
I do take short trips into town, not too much highway travel. Could it be carbon?
Was it a mistake to switch to 10w?
I value your opinions and would sure appreciate some help.
I know it is probably nothing to worry about but I hate unnecessary noise and would love to quiet it down some. My pressure and temps are good.
Thanks
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 11,123
Likes: 673
From: SE Pennsylvania
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Oldtimer
tick tick tick . . .
I have a 03 with 15K on it and it's been a little noisy since it was brand new. I bought about eight cans of BG44K and add one in the spring and once again in the fall. But LS1's are all a little noisy as you drive & use premium fuel. It's the hi-test octane fuel that "Tends" to carbon up and then you got the ol' LSX piston slap. It's one of those things you can listen to or just turn it out. I don't think I've ever heard a LS1,3 or 7 that didn't have the piston slap. I turn up the radio until it's over 200 degrees and the piston slap is gone. My neighbor had a LG4 and it had slapped as well.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 213
Likes: 0
From: New Orleans Louisiana
I just upgraded to an 03 in Jan with 75k on the clock.
It is a little noisy til it warms up also. Checked all the service records from the original owner and found that he had it checked 2 times under warranty and they basically said no problem and thats just how it is so I stopped thinking about it.
It is a little noisy til it warms up also. Checked all the service records from the original owner and found that he had it checked 2 times under warranty and they basically said no problem and thats just how it is so I stopped thinking about it.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 623
Likes: 1
From: Atlanta Ga
I have an 03 with 46k miles. I previously owned a 97 with 76K miles. That one was quiet. My 03 sounds like noisy lifters, or pistons? A ticking sound.
I posted this quite a while ago on the forum and was advised to switch from 5w-30 Mobil 1 to 10w Mobile 1. Now it is noisier than before.
Under that thread of noisy pistons and lifters, I listened to a sound bite and it did sound like mine. Then they recommended BG44K fuel additive.
I do take short trips into town, not too much highway travel. Could it be carbon?
Was it a mistake to switch to 10w?
I value your opinions and would sure appreciate some help.
I know it is probably nothing to worry about but I hate unnecessary noise and would love to quiet it down some. My pressure and temps are good.
Thanks
I posted this quite a while ago on the forum and was advised to switch from 5w-30 Mobil 1 to 10w Mobile 1. Now it is noisier than before.
Under that thread of noisy pistons and lifters, I listened to a sound bite and it did sound like mine. Then they recommended BG44K fuel additive.
I do take short trips into town, not too much highway travel. Could it be carbon?
Was it a mistake to switch to 10w?
I value your opinions and would sure appreciate some help.
I know it is probably nothing to worry about but I hate unnecessary noise and would love to quiet it down some. My pressure and temps are good.
Thanks
I suggest you go to any GM dealership and pick up a can of Top Engine Cleaner. It's a valve job in a can (that's what we used to call it).
Do NOT use anything but 5W30 in your car. While the LS1 is a great engine, it always had a little trouble getting oil to the cam and lifters properly. Using thicker viscosity oil will only make the oil thicker and it will take even longer for the oil to get to the lifters and it will DEFINITELY make your engine work MUCH harder. I LOVE BG products!
If your getting any hesitation after, say, 45k miles, then take it to a shop the sells BG products and have them do an air intake cleaning.
This stuff is the best. The amount of crap,carbon, and other garbage will come flying out of your exhaust pipe in form of smoke and you will gain such response back from your vette.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 769
Likes: 1
From: Columbia TN
I'm not sure if this has anything to do with your problem, but I had a ticking that I could not get to go away. I checked pushrods, all good. I used Seafoam in the crankcase drove it 400 miles, no fix. Next was to tear into the motor and pull the lifters. But before I did that I asked a friend if the AIR system could tick and he said YES. So I pulled the intake off and tore that useless system out. Took it for a test drive and no more loud ticking. I still have valve train noise but that is expected with LTH and an LS6, but the ticking I was having before the AIR system came out was terrible. I too listened to several videos and was convinced it was the lifters although my oil pressure was consistent with the rpm was engine was running.
I'm curious if you have a Vararam CAI. I noticed that mine had a large black tube running from the CAI into the AIR system. As it turns out one of my EGR valves was shot and the rush of air coming in from that large tube off the Vararam was making the EGR tick like crazy.
I sure hope that helps.
I'm curious if you have a Vararam CAI. I noticed that mine had a large black tube running from the CAI into the AIR system. As it turns out one of my EGR valves was shot and the rush of air coming in from that large tube off the Vararam was making the EGR tick like crazy.
I sure hope that helps.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 258
Likes: 1
From: Hamilton MT
Noisy lifters, pistons?
Hey thanks to all of you who responded. I still dont know what is causing the noise but I have a good idea or ideas, thanks to you.
I will add engine cleaner to the next tank of gas and see what happens.
In any case, I am not concerned any more about it.
I am also going to change the oil back to 5W Mobil.
I will add engine cleaner to the next tank of gas and see what happens.
In any case, I am not concerned any more about it.
I am also going to change the oil back to 5W Mobil.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 11,123
Likes: 673
From: SE Pennsylvania
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Oldtimer
Piston slap
Hey thanks to all of you who responded. I still dont know what is causing the noise but I have a good idea or ideas, thanks to you.
I will add engine cleaner to the next tank of gas and see what happens.
In any case, I am not concerned any more about it.
I am also going to change the oil back to 5W Mobil.
I will add engine cleaner to the next tank of gas and see what happens.
In any case, I am not concerned any more about it.
I am also going to change the oil back to 5W Mobil.
