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The dreaded "ticking" sound...

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Old 04-11-2019, 10:40 AM
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FlyAndFight
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Default The dreaded "ticking" sound...

I am interested in purchasing this 2013 C6 Corvette and asked the seller to send me a walk-around video and include the engine running.

I've looked at just about every "Corvette engine ticking" video on YouTube but wanted to obtain the opinions from the experts in this forum.

Should I run away from this sale or am I good to go?


Thanks in advance.
Old 04-11-2019, 11:12 AM
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enventr
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It’s hard to hear from a video but it seems normal . I would have a Chevrolet dealer check it out to make sure. Good luck
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Old 04-11-2019, 11:19 AM
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FlyAndFight
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Thank you for your quick reply. Yep, I already was planning to take it to the local Chevy dealer for a pre-purchase inspection.

The iPhone sound quality doesn't help, either.
Old 04-11-2019, 11:37 AM
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pdac
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You are going to get all sorts of opinions here from people you don't know. If you are concerned about it, have it inspected by a mechanic.
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Old 04-11-2019, 11:44 AM
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Vet Interested
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My C6 base did the same thing. Was a loose spark plug.
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Old 04-11-2019, 12:01 PM
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SlothX311
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Mine sounds the same, has been inspected by Corvette tech at Chevy dealership, pulls like a champ.

It's a hillbilly engine man, don't think too much about it.
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Old 04-12-2019, 04:04 PM
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FlyAndFight
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Thank you, all, for your input. Definitely to be inspected at the Chevy dealership near the car.
Old 04-12-2019, 05:25 PM
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Bob Paris
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So many refer to these imaginary "dreaded" issues. You don't even own the car yet and you are worrying. I would recommend you stay away. BTW, my '13 GS vert is almost 6 years old with 60,000 miles on the odometer and has been reliable. I don't worry about the dreaded this and that - and maybe that's why it's been so good.

Last edited by Bob Paris; 04-12-2019 at 05:26 PM.
Old 04-12-2019, 05:52 PM
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FlyAndFight
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Thanks for you post, Bob. My intent for this thread, as stated in the original post, was to share the video with the forum, whose members undoubtedly have more experience with engine sounds and could share some of their insight. Several did just that.

I don't own the car yet. That is exactly why I was asking. Who in their right mind would purchase a car first and then go searching for a diagnosis on a possible concern/issue that they originally had?

Congratulations on having a reliable '13 GS. I truly hope I am as fortunate as you.
Old 04-12-2019, 08:09 PM
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SO - is this something that's common? I'm pretty close to being deaf and would not be able to her such a noise if it occurred - mine is a '08 base BTW.
Old 04-12-2019, 08:24 PM
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NYC6
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Really hard to get a good representation from a vid so can't offer an opinion but I will ask, does the car have headers installed? They really project and amplify the sounds from the internals and injectors.
Old 04-12-2019, 08:26 PM
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cadyshac
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Sound quality is less than great but I don't hear anything abnormal.
Old 04-13-2019, 08:42 AM
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Spaceme1117
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Car is running perfectly normal and sounds perfectly normal.
Old 04-13-2019, 09:34 AM
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Carsonvette
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Mine has had the same "sewing machine" sound since new.
Old 04-13-2019, 09:41 AM
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Mad*Max
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My LS2 sounded the same and ran great!
Old 04-13-2019, 09:30 PM
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I’m not hearing anything unusual or alarming from your video. A Pre-Purchase Inspection should put your mind at ease. Good luck with your search for a Corvette.
Old 04-13-2019, 10:10 PM
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Sounds just like mine. I think they all have a little tick.

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Old 04-14-2019, 05:48 PM
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yellow2007
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That's why there's a volume control on the radio......
Old 04-14-2019, 05:57 PM
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kevinkar
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Basically the same Chevy engine block for decades and they all seem to sound the same to me. LT1, LS2, LS7, etc. All seem to have that tick. Moreso when cold. If I were there listening to that engine I'd not give it a second thought. Sounds normal to me.
Old 04-14-2019, 06:02 PM
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JerriVette
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I found at 50k miles i changed to a new set of plugs amd wires..i know the owners manual calls for 100k miles but at 131k miles since new i change them every 50k.

fwiw most ls motors have a slight tick from day one...of course getting it checked out a
ways is prudent.


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