Slight ticking at startup
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,387
Likes: 2
From: Chicago Burbs, IL
St. Jude Donor '03 & '06
Slight ticking at startup
OK, when I start my car it has a slight ticking which quickly goes away after about a minute or two. I've read about piston slap and am quite worried. I thought this was just a dry motor waiting for oil but am quickly getting paranoid. Could this be the piston slap I am hearing about and is it going to be a big problem? How is this remedied? The noise is not that bad. :cry
Cruising
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City
Re: Slight ticking at startup (doo600)
My '01 has had a small tick at cold start since it was new and has always went away after it idled for a bit. I always figured mine was the lifters waiting for the oil. I've read somewhere that using a heavier oil (15w30 mobile one) helps too, and also helps the oil burnoff at 3000 rpm/ring thing.... but I havent tried it yet.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Re: Slight ticking at startup (doo600)
First, don't panic. I know how it feels to hear this for the first time. Go to the dealer and get two bottles of GM part #12345515, which is a carbon cleaner. Try this for two tanks and see if it helps. Some of these noises are caused by carbon build-up in the combustion chamber. I know this helped in my case. Do you drive the car hard, or baby it? Do you do a lot of 6th gear cruising?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,387
Likes: 2
From: Chicago Burbs, IL
St. Jude Donor '03 & '06
Re: Slight ticking at startup (doo600)
I just bought the car 3 weeks ago and as far as 6th gear...It's automatic. I'm kind of ashamed to admit that but it seems most forum members have stick. I would of loved stick but after 3 mo of looking for the right price and options, something had to be sacrificed. Anyway, I will definitely try the carbon cleaner.Thanks for the tip! :D
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 8,205
Likes: 40
From: Tucson AZ
Re: Slight ticking at startup (doo600)
Your "slight ticking" could be either (or both) the lifters or the injectors. This is NOT a problem. Some people have gone to 0W-30 oil to hasten the filling of the lifters, but this isn't really necessary. :yesnod: :)
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,421
Likes: 0
From: Henderson, NV
Re: Slight ticking at startup (IMQUIK)
Hi all,
I have to wiegh in on this post. I have had ticking with my engine also lately on start up and it was getting really bad and loud. I let it go for a few months (got lazy). I did the top engine clean procedure (as listed in tech tips section) and I can tell you now I have NONE at start up. I did the procedure once before about 20,000 miles ago and felt it was about time to try it again. It did the trick and removed all ticking from my engine. It must have been major carbon buildup. I run 5W30 in my '97 and it runs really good now, nice and quite. I'm gonna change out my TR55's today too. They have about 12,000 miles on them now. Try the top engine procedure if you have problems. It is really easy to do and can't hurt. JMO
Steve
I have to wiegh in on this post. I have had ticking with my engine also lately on start up and it was getting really bad and loud. I let it go for a few months (got lazy). I did the top engine clean procedure (as listed in tech tips section) and I can tell you now I have NONE at start up. I did the procedure once before about 20,000 miles ago and felt it was about time to try it again. It did the trick and removed all ticking from my engine. It must have been major carbon buildup. I run 5W30 in my '97 and it runs really good now, nice and quite. I'm gonna change out my TR55's today too. They have about 12,000 miles on them now. Try the top engine procedure if you have problems. It is really easy to do and can't hurt. JMO
Steve
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 8,004
Likes: 250
From: Tampa Fl
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
Re: Slight ticking at startup (Blackjetvette97)
Somewhere I posted on a thread a phone number 313 area code to a Chad Bailey at GM HQ. Mine has a little tap to at start up, and GM gave me a free warranty on the motor for 6 years 60,000 miles. The warranty includes everything in the motor. I havent tried the top cleaner, but with 12000 miles I wouldnt think I had much carbon build up. I have a 6 speed but drive around in 1-4 sometimes 5 most of the time
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,421
Likes: 0
From: Henderson, NV
Re: Slight ticking at startup (6 speed Sid)
Hi all,
Yes Lenny, that's the one. I did C5 TECH's way, through the PCV with two cans of the pourable type. My car smoked like it was on fire the next day. I ran it a little to clean it out, then changed the oil. Smooth sailing since.
Steve
Yes Lenny, that's the one. I did C5 TECH's way, through the PCV with two cans of the pourable type. My car smoked like it was on fire the next day. I ran it a little to clean it out, then changed the oil. Smooth sailing since.
Steve
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,421
Likes: 0
From: Henderson, NV
Re: Slight ticking at startup (phils C5 vette)
Hi all,
Lenny, I only ran it in the driveway(OUTSIDE the garage with the door closed so no fumes get in the garage) to blow out all white smoke, then drove it a couple miles (Like 2). The driveway revs went up to about 2000 RPM's at times. It's gonna smoke like it's on fire for a couple minutes. I would think your trip is way too long. The oil needs to be changed right after doing this, don't know why though. Maybe the oil is broken down by the cleaner? Any techs chime in on this, please.
Steve
Lenny, I only ran it in the driveway(OUTSIDE the garage with the door closed so no fumes get in the garage) to blow out all white smoke, then drove it a couple miles (Like 2). The driveway revs went up to about 2000 RPM's at times. It's gonna smoke like it's on fire for a couple minutes. I would think your trip is way too long. The oil needs to be changed right after doing this, don't know why though. Maybe the oil is broken down by the cleaner? Any techs chime in on this, please.
Steve