Motor Noise
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: PA
Motor Noise
My LS1 is making noise, which could be many things, but I suspect a worn valve guide. I get a little blue smoke on starting and I can hear the rattle pretty significantly. Is this a major issue to tear it down to repair or should I take it to my local mechanic? If I have the professional do it, what would be a good estimate to fix it?
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
as a mechanic myself, i would suggest taking it to your local mechanic. ummm my guess on the estimate would be 300-900 dollars maybe, im not to familiar with the LS series of engines so i dont exactly know what it would cost to fix them. but thats my guess.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 911
Likes: 27
From: Southern IL
Does the noise ever go away? Did you ever lose oil pressure recently?
There is alot of things that can make noise...no point in jumping to conclusions until you know what is wrong.
Maybe you could pin point where the noise is coming from with a mechanics stethascope.
There is alot of things that can make noise...no point in jumping to conclusions until you know what is wrong.
Maybe you could pin point where the noise is coming from with a mechanics stethascope.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: PA
The noise does not go away. I did not use the stethascope, but I can tell it is coming from the left bank. At first, I thought it may be a sticky lifter, but with the 'rattle' and the puff of blue smoke tha comes out when the car is started, leads me to believe that the valve guide is worn. You are right that it could be other things, even maybe a bad lifter. I had a few of my friends listen to it and of course, I get all kinds of answers. Probably will have to open it up and find out what's going on.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,367
Likes: 1,593
From: Western NY
My LS1 is making noise, which could be many things, but I suspect a worn valve guide. I get a little blue smoke on starting and I can hear the rattle pretty significantly. Is this a major issue to tear it down to repair or should I take it to my local mechanic? If I have the professional do it, what would be a good estimate to fix it?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: PA
More Info
It's a 2001 LS1 with 68,000 miles. I purchased it about 7 weeks ago. I heard the noise then, but it wasn't quite as noticable and I took it for a sticking lifter. I've had Chevy's all my life and I'm 65 years old. When I first got out of school and before I went in the service and college, I was a mechanic and after service and college, I liked working on cars more than sitting in an office, so I went back to being a mechanic. I worked for a Buick dealersip for 9 years until decided that I needed to earn more money for my family and went back to engineering. I have worked on cars for years. This does not make me an expert, but I just wanted you to know that I am no beginner either. This is my first Vette and I wished I would have bought it 20 years ago. WOW, what a vehicle. I am open to all suggestions and if anyone has had this problem, I would be grateful to learn of their experience. However, I think that I am going to have to open it up to find the answer that I am looking for. BY the way, I did an engine flush on it and am using Mobil 1 with an AC oil filter. The oil pump tested good for pressure. Are sticking lifters or worn guides or oil seals an issue on these motors?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,152
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
Personally, I highly doubt a worn valve guide would make a significant rattle.
Pull the valve covers and take a close look at the rocker arm trunions for missing roller bearings. Take a good look at the springs as well. If you find nothing bad there then you'll likely have to pull the engine apart.
Pull the valve covers and take a close look at the rocker arm trunions for missing roller bearings. Take a good look at the springs as well. If you find nothing bad there then you'll likely have to pull the engine apart.
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: PA
Thanks Again
lionelhutz.....
I am taking the covers off in the morning. I have to find out what that noise is. I went to the library and picked up the Chilton manual for the motor and watched some stuff on YouTube. My son is going to give me a hand because I had 3 back surgeries in 2010 and bending and lifting are issues for me. The people on this forum are great. So many really good suggestions and things to look at when I get it opened. The guys at work try to help with different ideas, but they really haven't a clue.
I am taking the covers off in the morning. I have to find out what that noise is. I went to the library and picked up the Chilton manual for the motor and watched some stuff on YouTube. My son is going to give me a hand because I had 3 back surgeries in 2010 and bending and lifting are issues for me. The people on this forum are great. So many really good suggestions and things to look at when I get it opened. The guys at work try to help with different ideas, but they really haven't a clue.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: PA
Took the covers off and checked what I could without the covers being on. Everything checked normal. The noise seems to fade after the motor is run for a few miles or is idled for 5 or so minutes. I'm going to run it for awhile and see if it gets worse or stays the same. I can't see doing a costly tear down when the noise may just be something that I will have to put up with. Oil pressurre, compression, everything tests good, so I am going to take a wait and see approach.