Lifter noise?
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 52
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From: Vonore Tennessee
Lifter noise?
I purchased an 05 C6 in July with 31K miles and have noticed that there is a loud clicking noise upon start up, especially after several days of unuse, that seems to be getting louder. Unless I am imagining things, there is also a little of the same noise, but not near as loud, coming from under the hood when I am driving. Since most of my recent cars have had overhead cam engines, it's been a long time since I have driven one with a push rod engine, but it sounds like lifter noise to me. Is this normal in these cars? I talked to another 05 owner recently, and he claims that he has to have his engine "decarbonized" about once a year by his dealer to rid his car of this noise. From his description of the process, it sounds more like a fuel injector cleaning. Any opinions/advice about what this sound may be and whether it is something that I should be concerned about? Except for this noise, the engine seems to run really strong, and I know that the previous owner had the oil changed at the proper intervals and only used Mobil One.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 4,912
Likes: 266
From: Charleston SC
The LSx valvetrain is inherently louder that other SBC. I'm on my second LS2 (had an 06 GTO bought brand new and now I have my 05 C6 bought used) and they both have that valvetrain chater (not nearly as bad as my solid roller lifter big block though lol).
It is difficult do diagnostic a "noisy" problem over the net but, that kind a ticking can be alot of things, and since I do not know your level of experience with engine, forgive me if I suggest the "obvious":
exh leaks can do some ticking when cold (cracks in the manifold being one)
A lifter (or lifters) going bad can tick when cold (and still tick when hot)
a bent pushrod can also make things tick
a broken valve spring can do that as well.
Are you reffering to a sewing machine sound? as this is what LSx have usually, and that's just the way they are (aluminium conducts more sound than iron so you will hear more of the engine sounds)
It is difficult do diagnostic a "noisy" problem over the net but, that kind a ticking can be alot of things, and since I do not know your level of experience with engine, forgive me if I suggest the "obvious":
exh leaks can do some ticking when cold (cracks in the manifold being one)
A lifter (or lifters) going bad can tick when cold (and still tick when hot)
a bent pushrod can also make things tick
a broken valve spring can do that as well.
Are you reffering to a sewing machine sound? as this is what LSx have usually, and that's just the way they are (aluminium conducts more sound than iron so you will hear more of the engine sounds)
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,563
Likes: 2
From: Dallas Tx
A little clatter on the first few seconds of running is normal after it has sat for a few days or more. The valves that happened to be open when the engine stopped eventually bleed off the oil pressure in those lifters (collapse), takes a few seconds of run time to pump them back up.
I saw a tech once chasing bad lifters, he'd listen carefully on a cold start which lifters were noisey, replace a couple. Sure enough on the next day it was a couple different lifters, then he replaced all 16... then it was a couple of those that were noisey on start up. I had to tell him to quit chasing his tail, it's normal. More noticeable on performance cars because they have higher lift cams and stiffer springs. Plus once you tune into the sound it will seem like it is getting worse, especially in a garage where the sound bounces off a wall.
Clatter while driving, I'd have that looked at. Slight ticking normal, shouldn't make heavy tapping sounds. Top engine cleaner with a bottle of Techron in the tank is always a good idea, will reduce pinging.
I saw a tech once chasing bad lifters, he'd listen carefully on a cold start which lifters were noisey, replace a couple. Sure enough on the next day it was a couple different lifters, then he replaced all 16... then it was a couple of those that were noisey on start up. I had to tell him to quit chasing his tail, it's normal. More noticeable on performance cars because they have higher lift cams and stiffer springs. Plus once you tune into the sound it will seem like it is getting worse, especially in a garage where the sound bounces off a wall.
Clatter while driving, I'd have that looked at. Slight ticking normal, shouldn't make heavy tapping sounds. Top engine cleaner with a bottle of Techron in the tank is always a good idea, will reduce pinging.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,304
Likes: 4
From: foothills of Northern California
My 06 C6 has the same lifter noise. Its no big deal and is typical chevy stuff. But It is very different from what we have become used to what with the overhead cam engines that a lot of us have had before the Vette. Its a pushrod thing. Like Jay Leno said on his web site. Who cares what the design is, it gets the job done with this massive power of the Vette, no biggie. He droped a LS7 in his 01 C5Z and loves it.
ck out his vid online.
ck out his vid online.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 27,420
Likes: 64
From: San Clemente CA
Mine makes a little noise on start up when the oil has a few thousand miles on it. It's quite after I change the oil and then progressively gets a little louder. Not bad and it's not a problem. 
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 4,912
Likes: 266
From: Charleston SC
if you want I'll make a video of a cold start up of my solid roller BBC with 700 lift cam and 675lb springs 
you'll then won't worry to much about yours lol
jokes aside, if your motor is running strong and isn't poping on the top end (where a bad lifter would beed off or a broken spring would float) then don't worry about it.
I know mine is more pronounce at around 2000rpms when I drive, almost like that rpm (give or take 200rpms) has harmonics making it sound "weird"
Just remember, you're driving a race car so it's gonna make some little ticks and clicks here and there....
If you think that's bad, you should hear piston slap from an 2000 (?) LS1 camaro...yeah that'll make you crap your pants lol
you'll then won't worry to much about yours loljokes aside, if your motor is running strong and isn't poping on the top end (where a bad lifter would beed off or a broken spring would float) then don't worry about it.
I know mine is more pronounce at around 2000rpms when I drive, almost like that rpm (give or take 200rpms) has harmonics making it sound "weird"
Just remember, you're driving a race car
so it's gonna make some little ticks and clicks here and there....If you think that's bad, you should hear piston slap from an 2000 (?) LS1 camaro...yeah that'll make you crap your pants lol
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Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 52
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From: Vonore Tennessee
RE: Lifter Noise
Thanks to you and others that responded to my inquiry. Yes, it kinda sounds like a "sewing machine" upon start up. If this is normal, then great, I won't worry about it. I just moved to Knoxville, TN and finally ran the Tail of the Dragon this week (U.S. Rte. 129). What a gas! The car ran really strong, so I doubt that I have any serious mechanical problems.
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The LSx valvetrain is inherently louder that other SBC. I'm on my second LS2 (had an 06 GTO bought brand new and now I have my 05 C6 bought used) and they both have that valvetrain chater (not nearly as bad as my solid roller lifter big block though lol).
It is difficult do diagnostic a "noisy" problem over the net but, that kind a ticking can be alot of things, and since I do not know your level of experience with engine, forgive me if I suggest the "obvious":
exh leaks can do some ticking when cold (cracks in the manifold being one)
A lifter (or lifters) going bad can tick when cold (and still tick when hot)
a bent pushrod can also make things tick
a broken valve spring can do that as well.
Are you reffering to a sewing machine sound? as this is what LSx have usually, and that's just the way they are (aluminium conducts more sound than iron so you will hear more of the engine sounds)
It is difficult do diagnostic a "noisy" problem over the net but, that kind a ticking can be alot of things, and since I do not know your level of experience with engine, forgive me if I suggest the "obvious":
exh leaks can do some ticking when cold (cracks in the manifold being one)
A lifter (or lifters) going bad can tick when cold (and still tick when hot)
a bent pushrod can also make things tick
a broken valve spring can do that as well.
Are you reffering to a sewing machine sound? as this is what LSx have usually, and that's just the way they are (aluminium conducts more sound than iron so you will hear more of the engine sounds)
