C6 ls2 ticking noise
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 27
Likes: 5
From: North Carolina
C6 ls2 ticking noise
Started the car today after it’s been sitting for a day and started to hear a slight ticking noise. Let the car sit for an hour and then restarted it again but didn’t hear the tick anymore or during higher rpms. Did a cam and head swap with new lifters about 1k miles ago with the engine having 83k on it. So now I’m kinda stuck on what I should do. Should I check the rocker arms make sure they aren’t loose? Maybe a lifter went bad already? Or don’t worry about it unless it comes back? Not to familiar with engines so any advice would help. Thanks in advance! Also added a link
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 2,517
Likes: 1,167
From: Northern Wisconsin
When you installed your new lifters, did you also install new GM lifter trays purchased at a GM parts department? If you installed new lifter trays purchased from an auto parts store, they may be of inferior quality and allow the lifters to turn. Even the original, used, GM lifter trays are better than new aftermarket knockoffs. The lifter trays are supposed to keep the lifters from turning. Once there is clearance in the trays and the lifters are allowed to turn, they don't run true against the cam and start to skid across the cam face. Then, the edges of the roller on the lifter start to chip out. Both the lifter and cam will be shot in short order. If allowed to continue, the roller on the lifter will fall apart and the lifter bore will be damaged, at which point your block is shot. I can't say for sure that this is what is causing the ticking noise in your case. A lot depends on how you handled the lifter tray situation during your rebuild at 83,000 miles. I hope it is something else. Anyway, here is a video that demonstrates what I was talking about:
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 27
Likes: 5
From: North Carolina
When you installed your new lifters, did you also install new GM lifter trays purchased at a GM parts department? If you installed new lifter trays purchased from an auto parts store, they may be of inferior quality and allow the lifters to turn. Even the original, used, GM lifter trays are better than new aftermarket knockoffs. The lifter trays are supposed to keep the lifters from turning. Once there is clearance in the trays and the lifters are allowed to turn, they don't run true against the cam and start to skid across the cam face. Then, the edges of the roller on the lifter start to chip out. Both the lifter and cam will be shot in short order. If allowed to continue, the roller on the lifter will fall apart and the lifter bore will be damaged, at which point your block is shot. I can't say for sure that this is what is causing the ticking noise in your case. A lot depends on how you handled the lifter tray situation during your rebuild at 83,000 miles. I hope it is something else. Anyway, here is a video that demonstrates what I was talking about:
LS Lifter Trays
LS Lifter Trays
we used the old gm lifter trays.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 552
Likes: 58
From: western NC, USA
Had an intermittent lifter tick on start up several years ago and took it to the Corvette mechanic at the Chevy dealer. He said it's not uncommon and to not worry about it unless it does it all the time. Said LS engines will do this.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,892
Likes: 107
From: God's Country, ID
Any abnormal oil pressure fluctuations at idle or while driving?
When my lifter gave-out it immediately sounded like marbles rattlingly around in a coffee can...there was no previous ticking, knocking etc.
Other than sound, the oil pressure was fluctuating up-and-down madly (for obvious reasons).
When my lifter gave-out it immediately sounded like marbles rattlingly around in a coffee can...there was no previous ticking, knocking etc.
Other than sound, the oil pressure was fluctuating up-and-down madly (for obvious reasons).
Last edited by DSOMC6; Aug 26, 2020 at 11:46 PM.
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