ticking sound?
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: western NY
ticking sound?
Hi guys, I've got an 04 Z, except for headers, a cold air intake and a tune it is stock. Lately I've been hearing what sounds like a lifter noise. The noise seems to be coming from under the car, not from the valve cover area. Also the car has about 30,000 mi. Thanks for any advice.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 488
Likes: 2
From: Myrtle Beach SC
It could be an exhaust leak. Check all of your bolts and also the O2 sensors...make sure they are tight. You say it is not coming from the valve cover area...but just to confirm it is not from the valve train, check your oil level and watch your oil pressure gage when the engine is running...is the level low and/or the pressure fluctuating?
If all of the above do not "cure" the ticking, then I would suggest checking your valve lash in accordance with the factory service manual.
HTH
If all of the above do not "cure" the ticking, then I would suggest checking your valve lash in accordance with the factory service manual.
HTH
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,349
Likes: 3
From: US
If possible you should try to post a video of the ticking. How does it tick? Is it a high pitch tick (only noticeable if you really try to pay attention) that increases speed as your rpms increase? The "sewing machine" sound is pretty common on lsx engines. Longtubes make the valvetrain sound more noticeable.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 769
Likes: 1
From: Columbia TN
I agree with all of the above. I had a ticking in my 04Z that drove me nuts. At the time I just had bolt ons so I thought it might be a lifter. I tried several different oils to no avail. I also ended up pulling the AIR system out. Found out the EGR was bad and that was causing a tick, but not the one I was hearing all the time. Car still drove great and from what I could tell no power loss. I just chalked it up to noisy LS engine. I even checked all the pushrods and they were all in good shape. It wasn't until I decide to swap the cam that we found out two valves were sticking and had a slight bend in them. After we cleaned the heads, did a valve job and replaced the valves the ticking was gone.
I truly hope this isn't the case for you.
If you haven't checked the springs and push rods I would do that as well as remove the AIR system.
Let us know if you figure out what it is.
I truly hope this isn't the case for you.
If you haven't checked the springs and push rods I would do that as well as remove the AIR system.
Let us know if you figure out what it is.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: western NY
Oil level is good, maybe 1500 hundred mi. since I last changed it. The noise seems to be coming from the pass side collector area! In a couple of days a friend of mine is going to have a lift available. We are going to check for exhaust leaks, re-tighten everything. I guess my next step would be to pull the valve covers and look for possible valvetrain issues. Thanks again for your suggestions. I will keep you posted.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 647
Likes: 22
From: Norwalk CT and Boynton Beach FL
Do you get the ticking sound when the engine is cold , warm , hot ---- or all the time. I would try all the easy stuff first. Change the oil and filter and use oil weight 5 W 40 this time --- see of that calms it down. If no improvment, then I would change out all plugs and spark plug wires to insure all plugs are in securely and there is no high voltage leak. Then trace down the exhaust system under the car with the engine running looking for exhaust leaks. Check your fan belts for cracks or broken pieces. --- Good luck and keep us posted
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Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: western NY
It doesn't make the noise when cold, makes more of a lifter clatter rather than piston slap. If you hold the clutch against the brake the noise seems to go away, possibly moving the exhaust system. I will continue to check all the basic stuff first. Thanks again guys. Will keep you posted.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 949
Likes: 1
From: Tampa fl
St. Jude Donor '14
this has also happened to me. I just did headers and found that one of my headers has a pin hole in a weld at the collector makes a similar sound that took a lot of digging with a stethoscope to make sure it wasn't anything in the engine...