tick in motor
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: dadeville al
tick in motor
I could hear a ticking noise (sounds like a lifter) in my engine after about two minutes into a cold start (overnight) however it goes away after about three minutes of warmup. I took it to the dealership which is approximately 80 miles away and I drove it pretty good (if you know what I mean). Today the service manager called and said he can't hear anything even after it ran for 10 minutes. Could there have been something that cleared up during the drive or is the service manager full of it? I don't want to keep making trips to the dealer. Comments
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,456
Likes: 8
From: Cockeysville Maryland
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Daytona Jam 1 Veteran
Re: tick in motor (Greg5)
I use the hot end of a match after lighting and blowing out. I hold it towards the ticks head and it usually backs out of he engine due to the heat LOL :D
Seriously I have a friend who bought a coupe new in 2002 who also had what sounded like a tap or lifter noise upon cold start but it would disappear after warm up.
Dealer could not find anything valuable to tell him and I cannot remember completely but I believe after we looked around and talked to others that we decided it was normal.
I would keep an ear out for it and continue to ask about it and maybe someone with real experience and know how will chime in.
Good luck to you with this.
:cheers:
Seriously I have a friend who bought a coupe new in 2002 who also had what sounded like a tap or lifter noise upon cold start but it would disappear after warm up.
Dealer could not find anything valuable to tell him and I cannot remember completely but I believe after we looked around and talked to others that we decided it was normal.
I would keep an ear out for it and continue to ask about it and maybe someone with real experience and know how will chime in.
Good luck to you with this.
:cheers:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,047
Likes: 124
From: Wichita KS
Re: tick in motor (Greg5)
The Service Manual states that a cold piston knock that goes away after 1.5 minutes should be considered acceptable. A cold engine knock usually disappears when the specific cylinder's secondary ignition circuit is grounded out during diagnosis. (Service Manual, Section 6, Engine Mechanical Diagnostic Information and Procedures)
It may be that you both have to listen to the noise at the same time. :)
It may be that you both have to listen to the noise at the same time. :)
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Re: tick in motor (mapman)
Could be carbon build-up causing the noise. I occasionally use GM part # 12345515 to help keep carbon in check, as recommended by a GM Tech who is very familiar with this problem. You may want to try this for a couple of tanks of gas and see if it helps. I have also found that my 02 runs very rich, and carbon builds quickly (have looked into the cylinders with a boroscope). This may be the reason that the dealer couldn't duplicate the problem after your spirited drive.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 947
Likes: 1
From: Lake Worth. Fl.,USA Fl
Re: tick in motor (Greg5)
I have same identical problem. The tick starts after about 2 min ..lasts for about 5 minutes then disappears slowly. Dealer could never really pin point it , so they decarbonized the engine . No luck. Most seem to think its piston slap , although one would think then, that the tick would be present upon initial start.The dealer does not seem to think its anything. I think it relates to an undersized wrist pin . The piston heats up and expands before the wrist pin does and the play causes the slapping. Once the pin heats up the tolerances equalize and it gets quiet?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 947
Likes: 1
From: Lake Worth. Fl.,USA Fl
Re: tick in motor (Greg5)
One more thing, if your dealer says he can't hear it, I think its because he doesn't want to fix it or can't diagnose it. You should try another dealer and stay with it. You should have the car stay overnight(good and cold) and then have the tech and service manager stand over the motor with stethoscopes in hand and then start it up first thing in the morning where its quiet . Only way to really hear it is on a stone cold start up. If it is warm they won't hear it. Good luck and keep us posted.
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Drifting
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,796
Likes: 1
From: Annandale VA
Re: tick in motor (runamuk)
Could also be a sticky lifter.
If you think it's piston slap, try running 10W40 oil, see if it helps. If it's a sticky lifter, the thicker oil will make it worse.
Also, if it's a sticky lifter, you should be able to isolate the noise by listening to the engine through a short section of garden hose (poor man's stethoscope). Aim the hose at each valve cover, see if the noise is emanating there.
If you think it's piston slap, try running 10W40 oil, see if it helps. If it's a sticky lifter, the thicker oil will make it worse.
Also, if it's a sticky lifter, you should be able to isolate the noise by listening to the engine through a short section of garden hose (poor man's stethoscope). Aim the hose at each valve cover, see if the noise is emanating there.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 820
Likes: 0
From: Newport News VA
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: dadeville al
Re: tick in motor (vmspionage)
The computer keeps kicking out everytime I try to respond. the service manager called and said the tech heard a noise coming from the engine this morning and he wants to change to oil however I must pay for the oil change in order for them to check it. If not oil, then they will go from there. I wonder if I will still have to pay for the oil if that doesn't work. I saved some of the replys and will share them with him. Do they really know what they are doing?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 947
Likes: 1
From: Lake Worth. Fl.,USA Fl
Re: tick in motor (Greg5)
Unless your oil is black and watery it would not be oil an problem. Especially if the engine starts quietly and evolves into a ticking condition. If it fixes the problem pay it, if it doesn't then chrge to warranty repair. Good Luck and let us know
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 3,617
Likes: 7
From: Virginia
Re: tick in motor (Greg5)
I had the same problem. I took it in and they rebuilt the engine with pistons, rods, rings. Within 200 miles, the block cracked, so they replaced the engine. It was quiet for awhile but the ticking is back. I won't take it back unless it blows up again, the hell with it. It is the nature of the beast. I'm just going to enjoy the car.
