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Mysterious Ticking Noise

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Old Sep 20, 2024 | 02:44 PM
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Default Mysterious Ticking Noise

As some of you may have seen a previous post of mine, I just got new headers, plugs/wires, x-pipe, intake installed. I now seem to have a mysterious ticking noise, having owned another C5 previously with headers, this "tick" does not sound very normal to me. What I can tell you is that while I hear it most of the time, there are periods where it either goes away, becomes intermittent, or quiets down.

Any thoughts? Video clips attached on this iCloud link from my phone: https://share.icloud.com/photos/074W...iYmTEIpg70Invw
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Old Sep 20, 2024 | 02:51 PM
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Originally Posted by Vader_C5
As some of you may have seen a previous post of mine, I just got new headers, plugs/wires, x-pipe, intake installed. I now seem to have a mysterious ticking noise, having owned another C5 previously with headers, this "tick" does not sound very normal to me. What I can tell you is that while I hear it most of the time, there are periods where it either goes away, becomes intermittent, or quiets down.

Any thoughts? Video clips attached on this iCloud link from my phone: https://share.icloud.com/photos/074W...iYmTEIpg70Invw
What steps have you taken to isolate? Mechanic eval? Listened with a mechanic's stethoscope? Ran engine with belt removed?
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Old Sep 20, 2024 | 02:54 PM
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Originally Posted by lucky131969
What steps have you taken to isolate? Mechanic eval? Listened with a mechanic's stethoscope? Ran engine with belt removed?
I went back to the guy who did the work and he took a quick look at it, didn't seem to think it was an issue; it just doesn't sound like any C5 I have heard of my own, or others with similar mods.

Def sounds like it is coming from the engine compartment, maybe driver side. The car did NOT make this noise prior. Almost sounds like a spark plug...
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Old Sep 20, 2024 | 03:23 PM
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Originally Posted by Vader_C5
I went back to the guy who did the work and he took a quick look at it, didn't seem to think it was an issue; it just doesn't sound like any C5 I have heard of my own, or others with similar mods.

Def sounds like it is coming from the engine compartment, maybe driver side. The car did NOT make this noise prior. Almost sounds like a spark plug...
No one is going to be able to determine what is causing the noise purely with a video, unless it is something ridiculoulsy common or distinct.
So will you be trying anything yourself? If so, removing the belt allieviates external rotating items. The mechanic stethoscope helps you target the are when the ticking is loudest.
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Old Sep 20, 2024 | 05:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Vader_C5
As some of you may have seen a previous post of mine, I just got new headers, plugs/wires, x-pipe, intake installed. I now seem to have a mysterious ticking noise, having owned another C5 previously with headers, this "tick" does not sound very normal to me. What I can tell you is that while I hear it most of the time, there are periods where it either goes away, becomes intermittent, or quiets down.

Any thoughts? Video clips attached on this iCloud link from my phone: https://share.icloud.com/photos/074W...iYmTEIpg70Invw
20 bucks its the header ur hearing. They Change the sound because there thinner walls. Cant download this is my guess
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Old Sep 20, 2024 | 06:01 PM
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Did you happen to get a plug wire too close to a header pipe, burn off the insulation, and now are arcing to the pipe? Or, did you fail to get one of the plug wires on the spark plug, tightly, and it popped off and is arcing to something? FWIW, I don't think that it sounds right....did it make that noise before you swapped in the headers?
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Old Sep 20, 2024 | 06:16 PM
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Originally Posted by leadfoot4
Did you happen to get a plug wire too close to a header pipe, burn off the insulation, and now are arcing to the pipe? Or, did you fail to get one of the plug wires on the spark plug, tightly, and it popped off and is arcing to something? FWIW, I don't think that it sounds right....did it make that noise before you swapped in the headers?
I had the typical LS motor noise, but not this ticking. I am semi-convinced it is something with the spark plugs...

My old '99 had headers and it did not make a noise like this.
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Old Sep 20, 2024 | 09:46 PM
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Sounds like my LS1. I could really hear it well when in my garage or parked near something where the noise can bounce off an amplify. I used to be concerned about it, but could find nothing. Now I just send it. I have LT headers, Xpipe and no cats, Ti Exhaust.
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Old Sep 20, 2024 | 10:21 PM
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Originally Posted by Markolc1981
Sounds like my LS1. I could really hear it well when in my garage or parked near something where the noise can bounce off an amplify. I used to be concerned about it, but could find nothing. Now I just send it. I have LT headers, Xpipe and no cats, Ti Exhaust.
Yeah, I had the "normal" LS1 sounds before headers - it was just a different tone and a different rhythm than this.....
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Old Sep 21, 2024 | 03:36 PM
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Originally Posted by Vader_C5
I had the typical LS motor noise, but not this ticking. I am semi-convinced it is something with the spark plugs...

My old '99 had headers and it did not make a noise like this.
Have you considered running the engine in a darkened garage (door open a little, of course, for ventilation!!), and look to see if you can observe any arcing, around the plugs/wires?
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Old Sep 21, 2024 | 04:32 PM
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Hello : I hear what sound like tappets, maybe a lifter is not quite right or a little loose. Years ago in my c2 i ran anti pump up lifters and they would sound similar, the other sound is the same one I have now and was just checking it . the only thing i found was a little play when I flex the bell on the water pump mine you I have no leak and never run hot. note I am as confused as you are with these cars (C5's ) Or may listening to to many issues with c5's
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Old Sep 26, 2024 | 06:33 PM
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To me this sounds like headers just allowing more noise or a minor exhaust leak, especially the last video. I think lifters would be louder.
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