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HELP Me Diagnose An Engine Problem

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Old Mar 4, 2006 | 09:18 PM
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Default HELP Me Diagnose An Engine Problem

Hey all,

Had heads & cam done in late '04. Just recently started noticing a high pitched noise which I thought was a pulley or belt issue. Opened the hood today to do some work and listen for the sound. Listening from the passenger side I heard the normal sewing machine noise associated with my set-up. From the drivers side the noise was much more pronoounced with a steady clicking noise. I got inside the car and revved to about 3000 rpm and the clicking noise was louder and would speed up and slow down with the revs. With the hood closed I hear that high pitched noise inside the car. With it open I don't hear it very well.

I know you engine experts out there can help shed some light on my issue. I might just have tomake a trip to see Lou at LG. Thanks in advance for any help.


Matt
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Old Mar 5, 2006 | 12:47 AM
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anybody???
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Old Mar 5, 2006 | 06:08 AM
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A loose rocker, broken spring or bad lifter? I would pull the valve cover on that side and check around.
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Old Mar 5, 2006 | 07:15 AM
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Hello,
You should do some basic troubleshooting in the following areas.
Note, If you can locate a “mechanics stethoscope, this will greatly aid your chance of locating the noise.

Check the following areas;
Header flange to head bolts, look for carbon traces (exhaust leaks) retorque these bolts, possible blown header to head flange gasket.
Inspect the header collector (under car) for carbon traces (exhaust leaks). Retorque these bolts, possible blown header collector flange gasket.
Inspect the header for pinholes, paying attention to the bends in the headers using a flash light and mirror.
Retorque the spark plugs.

If the above inspection did not isolate the discrepancy, use the “mechanics stethoscope” and probe the fuel injectors and rocker cover for noise while the engine is running at idle.

Good luck,
Kevin
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Old Mar 5, 2006 | 07:19 AM
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Originally Posted by 69
Hello,
You should do some basic troubleshooting in the following areas.
Note, If you can locate a “mechanics stethoscope, this will greatly aid your chance of locating the noise.

Check the following areas;
Header flange to head bolts, look for carbon traces (exhaust leaks) retorque these bolts, possible blown header to head flange gasket.
Inspect the header collector (under car) for carbon traces (exhaust leaks). Retorque these bolts, possible blown header collector flange gasket.
Inspect the header for pinholes, paying attention to the bends in the headers using a flash light and mirror.
Retorque the spark plugs.

If the above inspection did not isolate the discrepancy, use the “mechanics stethoscope” and probe the fuel injectors and rocker cover for noise while the engine is running at idle.

Good luck,
Kevin
A mechanics stethescope is a great tool. You can find it at Sears or most auto shops. It sounds like it is in the valve train/header area, so pulling your valve cover and doing a visual might show you the problem. The ticking usually indicates a leak of some sort. I agree that checking your bolts and re-torquing them should be step one.
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Old Mar 5, 2006 | 07:21 AM
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By the way- you have a beautiful Vette!!!
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Old Mar 5, 2006 | 10:00 AM
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I'm in the process of fixing the exact same noise, but before we get to my diagnosis let's touch base on a couple of things:

Pull off both belts just to insure that the belts are ok, the pullied components are not making the noise, and to insure that you don't have an idler pulley problem. The car will be fine without the belts for long enough to figure that the noise is or is ot still there. Just watch that coolant temp. as the water pump will not be functional.

If the noise is still present then I believe you have a lifter problem... My car experienced cam walk due to loosening cam bolts and it trashed a lifter/cam lobe.

The car ran fine, but this metallicy belt chirp noise. I went through everything and it turned out to be a lifter.

I wish you luck in your endeavors...
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Old Mar 5, 2006 | 10:15 AM
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Originally Posted by DoubleZ06
By the way- you have a beautiful Vette!!!
Thanks!

I really appreciate all of the suggestions. I'll reply here when I figure it all out.


Matt
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Old Mar 5, 2006 | 10:23 AM
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Originally Posted by wavrdr
I'm in the process of fixing the exact same noise, but before we get to my diagnosis let's touch base on a couple of things:

Pull off both belts just to insure that the belts are ok, the pullied components are not making the noise, and to insure that you don't have an idler pulley problem. The car will be fine without the belts for long enough to figure that the noise is or is ot still there. Just watch that coolant temp. as the water pump will not be functional.

If the noise is still present then I believe you have a lifter problem... My car experienced cam walk due to loosening cam bolts and it trashed a lifter/cam lobe.

The car ran fine, but this metallicy belt chirp noise. I went through everything and it turned out to be a lifter.

I wish you luck in your endeavors...
Great info.! A few questions...Will the car be safe on a long road trip in case I do have to replace a lifter? Unfortunately I don't trust anyone locally to do work on my car.

I've never removed the belts before. How easy is it and what tools are required?

Thanks wvrdr!

Matt
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Old Mar 5, 2006 | 11:19 AM
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I'm not sure on the road trip part....you may want to call the shop that you're driving to and get their suggestion. The more the engine runs, the more damage you will incur. If the lifter is sideways, or has some wear, it could potentially wipe out the cam/cam lobes.

As far as the belts are concerned I believe you need a 15mm wrench for the front belt and possibly the same for the AC belt. Make sure you do this before deiciding that it is a lifter.

It just seems funny that you recently had a h/c package installed and now you're having problems with a part they reinstalled....

Check the belts!
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