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Old Nov 16, 2018 | 09:28 AM
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Default Tapping noise

Hi all, cold start up and heard tapping noises. What's suspect here? Maybe lifter noises? Should I not run the engine again until I tear it down? I'm going to try to start it up in a warm day and take some video.
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Old Nov 16, 2018 | 09:34 AM
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Mine has done that for 21 years when it is cold. Not a problem. Still runs like it is new.
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Old Nov 16, 2018 | 10:18 AM
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Moved to C5 Tech.
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Old Nov 16, 2018 | 12:17 PM
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Yep, likely just LS sounds. Or is this a new sound? If so, have you made any changes to the car before this new sound started?
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Old Nov 16, 2018 | 06:48 PM
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Post a video. I’ve made several posts trying to figure out my tapping sound is with no luck. Mine just randomly started one day and does it every single time on a cold start. Curious to see if yours is similar.
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Old Nov 18, 2018 | 06:22 AM
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Check the oil use first what weight oil did they use 10W30 is GM recommendation for most temperature zones.
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Old Nov 18, 2018 | 11:05 AM
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Just started out of the blue on a cold day. Well cold for Norcal which isn't really that cold. Like 40*. Will send video soon. Thx.
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Old Nov 18, 2018 | 12:02 PM
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This is all very normal, yet annoying enough to cause anxiety.

Cold starts are....cold. The engine was designed to run at operating temperature meaning that all the different internal metal types and components are hot and fully "expanded".

When cold, the metals are "relaxed" so there is additional "space" between components--- however so small, hence the occasional "tap or tick" until warmed.
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Old Nov 19, 2018 | 10:38 PM
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Hi all, actually, now I think its the water pump. Here's the vid:
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Old Nov 20, 2018 | 07:55 AM
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It's definitely something from the drive belt, water pump pulley, harmonic balancer, etc.
Start it up again and watch the harmonic balancer (main drive pulley connected to crank)
It you see ANY wobble at all, replace it. Same goes for water pump pulley.

Good luck
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Old Nov 20, 2018 | 11:15 AM
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To me, that's more of a scraping sound. I'd look closely at your harmonic balancer.
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Old Nov 22, 2018 | 10:40 AM
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I agree with Carl and Bob. Check the outer "ring" on the balancer to see if it's shifted back rubbing against the timing cover. I've had this happen to several small blocks in the late 80-90s. It's not tapping from cold start up.

Last edited by old stingray; Nov 22, 2018 at 10:42 AM.
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Old Dec 2, 2018 | 11:51 PM
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Originally Posted by old stingray
I agree with Carl and Bob. Check the outer "ring" on the balancer to see if it's shifted back rubbing against the timing cover. I've had this happen to several small blocks in the late 80-90s. It's not tapping from cold start up.
Thanks! How hard is this to fix? Also forgot to mention, heat stopped working right before this happened. Will tear into this next week. Planning on doing a time up after I get this fixed. Any suggest on plugs? Should I get wires too? A.c. Delco or better deals around?
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Old Dec 3, 2018 | 12:03 AM
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call me crazy but it looks to me like the crank pulling is moving around in the video at 2:35 mark

if it is the crank pulley the steering rack needs to be removed to get at it probably a 3 to 4 hour job maybe longer if you haven't done it before, stock plugs and wires are fine

Last edited by Stroker87; Dec 3, 2018 at 12:06 AM.
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Old Dec 3, 2018 | 08:09 PM
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Yikes that sounds even worse. Is a lift need to remove the rack?
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Old Dec 4, 2018 | 12:46 AM
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Originally Posted by captaingeek
Yikes that sounds even worse. Is a lift need to remove the rack?
i had mine out a few times for cam swaps and dont have access to a lift, just put the front on jack stands pull the tires off and get at it, for me the worst part is installing the fluid lines when putting every thing together, its not all that bad really its any where from 3.5 to about 6 hours depending on your skill level and tools on hand (powered ratchets really speed things up)

some tips
put the seat belt true the steering wheel to keep it in place (if it moves to much you can brake the clock spring)
your can rent the pulley needed to remove the harmonic balance from local parts stores
when your done before you take the car off the jack stands add power steering fluid start the car turn the wheel from side to side a bunch of times to get the air out of the system then top it off again
youtube is your friend lots of vids on doing this
have a few band aids on hand and clean the wounds before putting one on
when yelling and cussing dont be so loud your neighbors can hear you
get the 12 pack of beer this is to much work for a 6 pack!

(optional)
keen hands before you jump in and go enjoy that corvette


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Old Dec 8, 2018 | 02:52 PM
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OK guys, tge car's in the garage. planning on pulling the serpentine belt and taking a closer look at it. wish me luck. The belt has jumped a rib out from the balancer and is now misaligned on the way into getting it into the garage..
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Old Dec 9, 2018 | 06:30 AM
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Originally Posted by Fcar 98
Mine has done that for 21 years when it is cold. Not a problem. Still runs like it is new.
Same here, remember taking mine back to the dealer when it was a month old, said its the way they are no harm. Well they were right. 182k and runs great

Run 10-30 or 40 dino oil, they will quiet up big time.

Last edited by cv67; Dec 9, 2018 at 06:30 AM.
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Old Dec 10, 2018 | 11:03 AM
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Originally Posted by captaingeek
OK guys, tge car's in the garage. planning on pulling the serpentine belt and taking a closer look at it. wish me luck. The belt has jumped a rib out from the balancer and is now misaligned on the way into getting it into the garage..
The belt jumping a groove sounds like the problem I have.
Mine was making a noise that was new to me, but, I couldn't isolate the source and everything seemed to be running and driving fine.
Last Thursday morning on my way to work the car started making a thumping noise. Pulled over quick and turned of the engine. Looked under the hood to see that the outer ring on the harmonic balancer had run off the back of the hub and was slapping against the front of the engine.
Getting ready to start working on it as soon as I collect all the parts.
My '04 Z has just under 193k miles on it.
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Old Dec 15, 2018 | 09:11 PM
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Any updates?
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