Noisy lifters ...

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Jul 25, 2004 | 10:38 PM

SPDaylightFan

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: Dec 2003

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From: Williamsville NY

Noisy lifters ...

I have a stock LS-1 automatic. It is a 2000 coupe with 22,000 miles on it. In all ways the car is immaculate. BUT, when started cold and until the oil temp comes up the lifters make more noise than I think should come out of this engine. Anyone have an experience such as this.... should I take it in on the extended warranty?

Thanks

Jul 25, 2004 | 11:38 PM

cerino2000

Le Mans Master

Joined: Dec 2003

Posts: 7,457

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From: NC

Seems to me that that is a well known 'normal' problem with Ls1's. I don't think I would be too worried about it unless it was REALLY loud but if it bugs you, take it in while it is under warranty.

Jul 25, 2004 | 11:45 PM

CAPN17

Safety Car

Joined: Mar 2001

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From: Aurora IL

I would make sure it is the lifters and not piston slap.

Jul 26, 2004 | 06:31 AM

SPDaylightFan

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: Dec 2003

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From: Williamsville NY

thanks guys, I am sure it is lifter noise ..... you can actually locate the noise when you go under the hood. The right bank seems loudest.

Yeah, it bugs the heck out of me .... In the "good old days" you grabbed a wrench and feeler guage and pulled the valve cover. Not any more ... sigh!

thanks again ....

Jul 26, 2004 | 11:53 AM

crainholio

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The noise you're describing is pretty common, but may go away or minimize depending on your oil selection. With 0W-30 Syntec, mine had it under same conditions you listed. When I went to 5W-40 Mobil/Delvac-1, it was pretty much gone. Now running Mobil-1 15W-50 for racing season, and it's quiet.

The LS1 has an aluminum block and a much more aggressive cam than the old Chevy technology which was notably quieter. The LS1 doesn't dampen noise as well as the old iron blocks, and it has an inherently-noisier valvetrain.

GM wasn't running 0.500"+ lift cams and 1.7:1 rockers in the old quiet days. You want quiet, go get a wimpy cam and weak valvesprings...or start experimenting with your oil.

Aug 1, 2004 | 12:16 PM

Cool Terry

Cruising

Joined: Jun 2004

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From: Cool Ca.

May be piston slap

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPDaylightFan

I too thought my noise was lifters and the majority of the sound was coming from the right bank as you have described yours. However it ended up being piston slap and I recently had warranty repairs done.Do a SEARCH on this site and type in Piston Slap and you will see all the conversations on this topic.

Terry

Aug 1, 2004 | 12:23 PM

Patches

Team Owner

Joined: Sep 2001

Posts: 23,283

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From: Lake Elsinore, CA

Check out page 5 of Hib's article which addresses this issue along with excessive oil consumption.

Hib Halverson's Article

Aug 1, 2004 | 06:23 PM

VetteSiNz

Drifting

Joined: Apr 2004

Posts: 1,937

Likes: 3

From: Jacksonville Florida

Quote:

Originally Posted by CAPN17

I would make sure it is the lifters and not piston slap.

And if it's the piston slap; the dealer should replace it for free. One of my co-worker has the same problem - piston slap and the dealer is currently repairing it.