C5 Tech Corvette Tech/Performance: LS1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Header tick - video

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 4, 2019 | 10:05 PM
  #1  
bwill03z's Avatar
bwill03z
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,187
Likes: 265
From: Virginia
Default Header tick - video

Ok guys I was sitting in a drive through last night and decided to record this to get some opinions. Obviously long tubes amplify noises but this ticking is a lot louder on my drivers side than passenger side. Do you guys think this is just a noisy valve amplified by the header or does is sound like a possible exhaust leak? Ive checked for leaks and couldn’t really find anything but I do get a very strong raw exhaust smell esp on startup. Opinions appreciated.
Reply
Old Aug 4, 2019 | 11:32 PM
  #2  
jglassmaker's Avatar
jglassmaker
Pro
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 551
Likes: 102
From: Madison WI
Default

Hard to tell from the video - I can hear it though.

So my first guess would be exhaust leak around the headers, I usually just put my hand close to each primary and feel for air before they get too hot to even be near - a smoke machine would be way better but not typically readily available for most out there.

Now headers usually leak after messing with them - usually don't randomly develop a leak but it is still possible a header bolt came loose (or something else), could try checking them.

If you can't find a leak at all or a lose bolt then I would take the valve cover off and look very carefully over everything, looking for anything broken or anything that stands out from the other valve train. Also keep a fine eye out for metal specs in the oil.
Reply
Old Aug 4, 2019 | 11:40 PM
  #3  
bwill03z's Avatar
bwill03z
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,187
Likes: 265
From: Virginia
Default

Originally Posted by jglassmaker
Hard to tell from the video - I can hear it though.

So my first guess would be exhaust leak around the headers, I usually just put my hand close to each primary and feel for air before they get too hot to even be near - a smoke machine would be way better but not typically readily available for most out there.

Now headers usually leak after messing with them - usually don't randomly develop a leak but it is still possible a header bolt came loose (or something else), could try checking them.

If you can't find a leak at all or a lose bolt then I would take the valve cover off and look very carefully over everything, looking for anything broken or anything that stands out from the other valve train. Also keep a fine eye out for metal specs in the oil.
Possibly a leak at the head... I have torqued all the bolts down and even changed gaskets so that’s def not it. I havent really felt for a leak with my hand because there’s really not much room because I still have my AIR system and it gets in the way. I am positive it’s nothing under the valve cover I have inspected that several times, everything looks great. I did cut open my oil filter last oil change and there was a good amount of very fine metal specs in there, but that was about 500 miles after a cam swap so I don’t know if that was just break in material or what..
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Header tick - video





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:02 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE