Advice really needed here (please)......
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
Advice really needed here (please)......
I have been a very proud owner of a 2007 C6 vert for several years now. I have NOT had any problems with my babe until now. I will admit, I have not driven it much here because of the cold weather and the crap they have placed on our TEXAS roads. With that said though, I start it at least once a week and let it run for around 10-15 minutes each time. The last few times though, after about 5 minutes, the engine starts to ping (tapping) somewhat noticably in the lifter area. When this happens, I immediately turn it off. Guys/Gals, any idea what is now happening? Again, I have had no issues until now. Thanks! 
Race Director
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 13,298
Likes: 14
From: Somers NY
Don't know what your "tapping" noise in the engine is, but by starting it up and letting it "IDLE" for 15 20 min is "NOT" warming up the trans or rear end fluid.. if you have the time to start it and let it idle for 20 min, why not just DRIVE it ?? Then you would be getting everything warm (all fluids) Also at idle you not making enough heat to burn off any condensation in the exhaust or in the oil...
I live in NY a lot more snow, & salt on the roads here..... & I take mine out WHEN THE ROADS ARE DRY !!!
I live in NY a lot more snow, & salt on the roads here..... & I take mine out WHEN THE ROADS ARE DRY !!!
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 197
Likes: 0
From: Northern NJ
Don't know what your "tapping" noise in the engine is, but by starting it up and letting it "IDLE" for 15 20 min is "NOT" warming up the trans or rear end fluid.. if you have the time to start it and let it idle for 20 min, why not just DRIVE it ?? Then you would be getting everything warm (all fluids) Also at idle you not making enough heat to burn off any condensation in the exhaust or in the oil...
I live in NY a lot more snow, & salt on the roads here..... & I take mine out WHEN THE ROADS ARE DRY !!!
I live in NY a lot more snow, & salt on the roads here..... & I take mine out WHEN THE ROADS ARE DRY !!!
You need to drive it and get the oil and fluids up to temp. Just letting it idle is not good for the engine.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,639
Likes: 8
From: Jersey Strong NY/NJ
What kind of gas do you have in ur tank? Also this tapping is normal. Many others have had the same type of tapping. I think they call it piston slap. Do a search and u should find plenty of info on the subject.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 5
From: Schererville Indiana
First chill out, there is probably nothing major wrong but if there is I'm assuming you're covered under the power train warranty. If you are going to run it once a week run it for a hour and give it some good revs once it's warmed up.
How bad is the noise? From what you describe I would say you just have a sticky lifter.
How bad is the noise? From what you describe I would say you just have a sticky lifter.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 174
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thanks
Thanks guys. First you are all right, I need to drive the da_n thing. I am sure that I would not have that problem. With the unusual cold winter in Texas, it would be my guess that has not helped by having the car sit idle 98% of the time. I am going to run it this weekend unless the tapping gets worse. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,437
Likes: 4
From: Bucks Co. / outside Philadelphia PA
leaving a car idle is far worse then not starting it. My uneducated guess would be a lack of oil to the top end and at least one lifter not getting enough oil to stay pumped up causing a valve tap.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Southwest CO
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2008
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Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 443
Likes: 12
From: KITCHENER ONTARIO
Could Be Oil Filter
One day in October when I started the car on a cool day, my engine made a great deal of noise that sounded like lifters. The car was always turbine smooth. I immediately had an oil and filter change done - problem gone!
There have been some comments about a defective valve in some filters allowing the oil to drain out of engine. (Maybe someone with greater knowledge about filters could elaborate.)
I periodically start my stored Corvette on warmer winter days. I do not leave it running at idle speed. I vary the rpm up to 2000 and make sure that the oil and coolant reaches operating temperature.
There have been some comments about a defective valve in some filters allowing the oil to drain out of engine. (Maybe someone with greater knowledge about filters could elaborate.)
I periodically start my stored Corvette on warmer winter days. I do not leave it running at idle speed. I vary the rpm up to 2000 and make sure that the oil and coolant reaches operating temperature.
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 11,792
Likes: 255
From: Ossining New York
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'12-'13-'14
My Tahoe does it.....
I have been a very proud owner of a 2007 C6 vert for several years now. I have NOT had any problems with my babe until now. I will admit, I have not driven it much here because of the cold weather and the crap they have placed on our TEXAS roads. With that said though, I start it at least once a week and let it run for around 10-15 minutes each time. The last few times though, after about 5 minutes, the engine starts to ping (tapping) somewhat noticably in the lifter area. When this happens, I immediately turn it off. Guys/Gals, any idea what is now happening? Again, I have had no issues until now. Thanks!
Mine always does it in the morning while it's warming up....
My feeling is that it's lifters.... Nothing really wrong...but, sounds icky.
I've had cars come in and they make the noise...we do a cam and an oil pump and it goes away...
My guess is that the motor has miles on it and the light oil and lack of idle oil pressure (not that its bad) makes the lifters and valve train tick.
If you rev up the motor it should go away. So, I'm thinking that your idle oil pressure is a bit low.
Don't sweat it... it will be ok. Try a thicker or "high mileage" oil at your next oil change and let me know what happens....
Chuck CoW
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,673
Likes: 9
From: Upstate New York
I don't know about the ticking, but I think it's well documented that most engine wear happens on start-up. And I doubt things are getting up to temp letting it idle 10 minutes. I'm squarely in the camp of putting it away and firing it up when you put it back on the road.
If you are going to do the start-up thing, do what these other folks said - just drive it.
If you are going to do the start-up thing, do what these other folks said - just drive it.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
Likes: 9,820
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
If it is the typical LS piston slap it will start when "OIL" (not coolant) temps are around 40 degrees and continue until the temp hits the 100 degree range. It will just rapidly fade away once the engine oil gets to that temp. When I am at Watkins Glen on a cold morning and people start their engines to bring the oil temps up almost every C5 will sit there making a fairly loud tapping noise that goes away once the oil warms. I made a recording of the noise and posted it last year when piston slap was being discussed in a thread in the C5 section.
Check post #47 in this thread: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...me-back-3.html
Bill
Check post #47 in this thread: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...me-back-3.html
Bill
Last edited by Bill Dearborn; Feb 18, 2011 at 12:26 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 11,351
Likes: 2,445
From: Eastern
I don't know about the ticking, but I think it's well documented that most engine wear happens on start-up. And I doubt things are getting up to temp letting it idle 10 minutes. I'm squarely in the camp of putting it away and firing it up when you put it back on the road.
If you are going to do the start-up thing, do what these other folks said - just drive it.
If you are going to do the start-up thing, do what these other folks said - just drive it.
I put my C6 in storage in mid November, and it doesn't start again until end of March. I do however go give it a pat once in awhile, and keep it on the battery tender plus. 
Race Director
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 10,742
Likes: 629
From: Manheim Pennsylvania
Those short runs do nothing but create acids in the crankcase. These acids attack bearing and bearing surfaces. I know a few people who had to tear down engines due to badly pitted bearings.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 915
Likes: 3
From: Ft. Worth Texas
My dealer service writer whom i trust just told me yersterday that the worst things for these cars is to not drive them. He said no driving equals oil leaks among other things and living here in Texas there is really no reason not to drive them. My car is a daily driver and so far no problems.
Thanks guys. First you are all right, I need to drive the da_n thing. I am sure that I would not have that problem. With the unusual cold winter in Texas, it would be my guess that has not helped by having the car sit idle 98% of the time. I am going to run it this weekend unless the tapping gets worse.