C6 Corvette General Discussion General C6 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Feral Industries

Does your LS3....

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 12, 2020 | 08:09 PM
  #21  
bwill03z's Avatar
bwill03z
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,174
Likes: 259
From: Virginia
Default

Couple of videos with light revs. First is passenger side then driver. With a stethoscope I can tell the lifters on cylinders 2 and 8 are noticeably louder than the rest.


Reply
Old Nov 12, 2020 | 08:47 PM
  #22  
JonnyCap's Avatar
JonnyCap
Instructor
 
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 162
Likes: 26
From: Green Bay WI
Default

Hmm, mine sounds somewhat like that, and at first it sounded like piston slap, but as the revs increased it does seem like it might be a mechanical issue like a lifter or valve spring, maybe? I'd pop the valve cover and look around.
Reply
Old Nov 12, 2020 | 09:20 PM
  #23  
bwill03z's Avatar
bwill03z
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,174
Likes: 259
From: Virginia
Default

Originally Posted by JonnyCap
Hmm, mine sounds somewhat like that, and at first it sounded like piston slap, but as the revs increased it does seem like it might be a mechanical issue like a lifter or valve spring, maybe? I'd pop the valve cover and look around.
I think mostly what I’m hearing is coming from the passenger side. I’ve pulled that valve cover before and everything looked fine but I think I’ll do it again because I believe it has got louder. The cylinder 2 and 8 lifters are louder than the rest so maybe there’s an issue there.
Reply
Old Nov 12, 2020 | 10:29 PM
  #24  
gsflyer2011's Avatar
gsflyer2011
Drifting
10 Year Member
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,821
Likes: 442
From: Boca Raton Florida
Default

5-6 years ago i developed a noisy lifter. I ended up putting cdl engine cleaner an flush in the engine, driving it for 100 miles and doing a oil change after. That cleaned up the gunk stuck in the lifter and my noise went away immediately. It was a cheap fix.
Reply
Old Nov 12, 2020 | 11:20 PM
  #25  
bwill03z's Avatar
bwill03z
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,174
Likes: 259
From: Virginia
Default

Originally Posted by gsflyer2011
5-6 years ago i developed a noisy lifter. I ended up putting cdl engine cleaner an flush in the engine, driving it for 100 miles and doing a oil change after. That cleaned up the gunk stuck in the lifter and my noise went away immediately. It was a cheap fix.
Never heard of that particular cleaner, but yeah I was thinking about dumping some Rislone or Seafoam into the crankcase and maybe even some fuel system cleaner into the gas tank.
I have Pennzoil platinum in her right now but was thinking of going with Amsoil sig series anyway
Reply
Old Nov 13, 2020 | 06:34 AM
  #26  
BadAV's Avatar
BadAV
Race Director
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 12,030
Likes: 3,566
From: Central MO
Default

Originally Posted by bwill03z
Never heard of that particular cleaner, but yeah I was thinking about dumping some Rislone or Seafoam into the crankcase and maybe even some fuel system cleaner into the gas tank.
I have Pennzoil platinum in her right now but was thinking of going with Amsoil sig series anyway
The Pennzoil Platinum you have in it is one of the better oils for engine protection. You can spend the extra money on Amsoil if you want, but it's highly doubtful you will hear any change. An old trick I have used in the past to quiet noisy lifters is to dump a quart of cheap atf in the crankcase and run it for a while. It's cheaper than Rislone or Seafoam and in my experience accomplishes the same thing. If the problem is a dirty lifter(s).

Last edited by BadAV; Nov 13, 2020 at 06:34 AM.
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2020 | 04:02 PM
  #27  
hubes's Avatar
hubes
Burning Brakes
20 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
Liked
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,127
Likes: 99
From: Nova Scotia
Default

My valvetrain quieted down some after installing CHE trunnion upgrade
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2020 | 04:35 PM
  #28  
bwill03z's Avatar
bwill03z
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,174
Likes: 259
From: Virginia
Default

Originally Posted by hubes
My valvetrain quieted down some after installing CHE trunnion upgrade
Been thinking about doing this. Did your car sound anything like mine prior to the trunnion upgrade?
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-6

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
Old Nov 14, 2020 | 06:21 PM
  #29  
hubes's Avatar
hubes
Burning Brakes
20 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
Liked
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,127
Likes: 99
From: Nova Scotia
Default

I would say mine sounded similar to your driver side. Kind of sounds like there's something more going on on the passenger side. I didn't use a stethoscope, but to the naked ear mine sounded even across the engine. Hard to know for sure in a video, but yours sounds like one cylinder is worse
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2020 | 07:05 PM
  #30  
indyblue67's Avatar
indyblue67
Racer
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 488
Likes: 206
From: Indy `O=o-
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Default


I’m just lurking in this thread for now just to follow the prevalence of this issue and possible causes.

I have a ‘12 GS w 35k and mine does not make any noises besides the normal exhaust rumble.
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2020 | 08:19 PM
  #31  
bwill03z's Avatar
bwill03z
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,174
Likes: 259
From: Virginia
Default

Originally Posted by hubes
I would say mine sounded similar to your driver side. Kind of sounds like there's something more going on on the passenger side. I didn't use a stethoscope, but to the naked ear mine sounded even across the engine. Hard to know for sure in a video, but yours sounds like one cylinder is worse
When I put a stethoscope on the passenger valve cover - cylinders 1 and 8 tap noticeably louder than the rest. Maybe I have a couple of sticky lifters?! I checked the rocker bolts and they are tight.
I bought some Rislone oil treatment tonight and gonna try it and see if it clears anything up. My passenger side has been noisiest since I bought it (which was only back in June)
Reply
Old Nov 15, 2020 | 10:26 PM
  #32  
bwill03z's Avatar
bwill03z
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,174
Likes: 259
From: Virginia
Default

So that distinct tick on the passenger side, what do you guys think that sounds like? Lifter? Tapping valve? I was hoping it would be simple like a loose plug but all were tight and the manifold bolts are also tight.

Last edited by bwill03z; Nov 15, 2020 at 10:35 PM.
Reply
Old Oct 22, 2021 | 01:15 PM
  #33  
TubingChamp's Avatar
TubingChamp
Cruising
 
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by bwill03z
So that distinct tick on the passenger side, what do you guys think that sounds like? Lifter? Tapping valve? I was hoping it would be simple like a loose plug but all were tight and the manifold bolts are also tight.
Any updates on this?

I bought a 12' base and have a really noisy cold engine that follows RPM (only quiets down once I get to full operating temps), and sewing machine kind of tick that follows RPM's once it's warmed up.

Have tried good oil and seafoam in the fuel tank... Have not yet checked on manifold bolts or injectors, or had a stethoscope passover.
Reply
Old Oct 22, 2021 | 02:45 PM
  #34  
bwill03z's Avatar
bwill03z
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,174
Likes: 259
From: Virginia
Default

Originally Posted by TubingChamp
Any updates on this?

I bought a 12' base and have a really noisy cold engine that follows RPM (only quiets down once I get to full operating temps), and sewing machine kind of tick that follows RPM's once it's warmed up.

Have tried good oil and seafoam in the fuel tank... Have not yet checked on manifold bolts or injectors, or had a stethoscope passover.
I don’t know if I mentioned it previously in the thread or not but I had my lifters replaced with GM LS7 lifters as well as CHE rocker trunnions awhile back and That did quieten down the motor overall to some degree but it did not resolve the ticking completely. The passenger side sounds nice and smooth at idle now but the driver side still has an isolated tick once warmed up. It’s pretty quiet on a coldstart other than a small amount of piston slap but once the oil gets hot the driver side up near cylinder one has a distinct ticking noise that follows RPMs and I can hear it in the cab with the windows up and radio off. As much as I would like to chalk this up to normal LS3 noises I found metal shavings in my oil when I removed my valve covers. Also I cut open my oil filter and they were metal shavings in there as well. So obviously something is going on that is abnormal. It sucks because these motors are inherently noisy and they all take to some degree and make the sewing machine noise so it makes it really difficult to diagnose any abnormal valvetrain noises.
Reply
Old Oct 22, 2021 | 03:20 PM
  #35  
Turbo6TA's Avatar
Turbo6TA
Race Director
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 13,262
Likes: 3,150
From: SW Florida
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Default

I have a 2011 GS LS3 that has a 'Heartbeat' supercharger on it ... The heads and cam are stock.

No ticking sound when I had the stock 1.7 ratio rocker arms in the engine, and no ticking sound now that I have installed a set of Comp Cams 1.8 ratio roller rocker arms.

In 2 more weeks, I am installing an aftermarket cam in the engine ... I have no idea if that will make the valve train noisy (certainly hope not).


Attachment 48331317



Reply
Old Oct 22, 2021 | 04:07 PM
  #36  
FatsWaller's Avatar
FatsWaller
Safety Car
Conversation Starter
Photoriffic
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 4,921
Likes: 2,334
From: Etobicoke (Toronto) Ontario
Default

Originally Posted by bwill03z
I don’t know if I mentioned it previously in the thread or not but I had my lifters replaced with GM LS7 lifters as well as CHE rocker trunnions awhile back and That did quieten down the motor overall to some degree but it did not resolve the ticking completely. The passenger side sounds nice and smooth at idle now but the driver side still has an isolated tick once warmed up. It’s pretty quiet on a coldstart other than a small amount of piston slap but once the oil gets hot the driver side up near cylinder one has a distinct ticking noise that follows RPMs and I can hear it in the cab with the windows up and radio off. As much as I would like to chalk this up to normal LS3 noises I found metal shavings in my oil when I removed my valve covers. Also I cut open my oil filter and they were metal shavings in there as well. So obviously something is going on that is abnormal. It sucks because these motors are inherently noisy and they all take to some degree and make the sewing machine noise so it makes it really difficult to diagnose any abnormal valvetrain noises.
Have read several threads where the lifter turned and the ticking noise was caused by the cam lobe getting ground down. Metal filings were a symptom. Here is an example https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...r-failure.html Unfortunately there are others. IIRC this cost @cgladish an engine.

Last edited by FatsWaller; Oct 22, 2021 at 04:11 PM.
Reply
Old Oct 22, 2021 | 04:35 PM
  #37  
TubingChamp's Avatar
TubingChamp
Cruising
 
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by bwill03z
I don’t know if I mentioned it previously in the thread or not but I had my lifters replaced with GM LS7 lifters as well as CHE rocker trunnions awhile back and That did quieten down the motor overall to some degree but it did not resolve the ticking completely. The passenger side sounds nice and smooth at idle now but the driver side still has an isolated tick once warmed up. It’s pretty quiet on a coldstart other than a small amount of piston slap but once the oil gets hot the driver side up near cylinder one has a distinct ticking noise that follows RPMs and I can hear it in the cab with the windows up and radio off. As much as I would like to chalk this up to normal LS3 noises I found metal shavings in my oil when I removed my valve covers. Also I cut open my oil filter and they were metal shavings in there as well. So obviously something is going on that is abnormal. It sucks because these motors are inherently noisy and they all take to some degree and make the sewing machine noise so it makes it really difficult to diagnose any abnormal valvetrain noises.
You did mention you were thinking about it, but not that it was done..

Yeah, I've had my oil changed a few times and no metal shavings at all..... I think it's all healthy, but the cold engine is specifically very noisy.. The ticking I just kinda noticed the other day.

If anyone wants to hear what the engine sounds like: IMGur Video


Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Does your LS3....

Old Oct 22, 2021 | 08:57 PM
  #38  
bwill03z's Avatar
bwill03z
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,174
Likes: 259
From: Virginia
Default

Originally Posted by TubingChamp
You did mention you were thinking about it, but not that it was done..

Yeah, I've had my oil changed a few times and no metal shavings at all..... I think it's all healthy, but the cold engine is specifically very noisy.. The ticking I just kinda noticed the other day.

If anyone wants to hear what the engine sounds like: IMGur Video
My motor sounds exactly like this when cold and goes away when warmed up. That is piston slap and nothing to worry about, very common on LS motors. That’s not really a ticking noise but more of like a hollow knocking sound, but yea every LS car I’ve owned did that until the motor warmed up.
Reply
Old Oct 22, 2021 | 09:01 PM
  #39  
bwill03z's Avatar
bwill03z
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,174
Likes: 259
From: Virginia
Default

Originally Posted by FatsWaller
Have read several threads where the lifter turned and the ticking noise was caused by the cam lobe getting ground down. Metal filings were a symptom. Here is an example https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...r-failure.html Unfortunately there are others. IIRC this cost @cgladish an engine.
yep I’ve seen where worn out lifter trays will allow a lifter to turn however none of mine had turned that I could tell. About 8 of the 16 lifters had lines around the rollers like they had been scored by something, the other 8 looked fine. You can clearly see the lines but can’t feel them. Not sure what did this.




Reply
Old Oct 22, 2021 | 09:22 PM
  #40  
TubingChamp's Avatar
TubingChamp
Cruising
 
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by bwill03z
My motor sounds exactly like this when cold and goes away when warmed up. That is piston slap and nothing to worry about, very common on LS motors. That’s not really a ticking noise but more of like a hollow knocking sound, but yea every LS car I’ve owned did that until the motor warmed up.
That helps to read.. Glad to hear it.

I do also have a tick, but have not been able to record it or investigate.. just kinda noticed it recently.

Appreciate the response 🙂
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:34 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-1
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE