LS3 Ticking/Tapping sound.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 478
Likes: 3
From: Tom's River NJ
LS3 Ticking/Tapping sound.
I need to get my car into the shop to get looked at, but in the mean time, I was wondering if anyone can possibly identify what this might be so I have some sort of idea of what I'm dealing with. Obviously only so much can be figured out from an audio clip. This is on a cold start and you can hear it gets a bit louder towards the middle/end. It's not "as" noticeable when the engine is warmed up. Could this be a bad lifter possibly, or something else? '09 with ECS 1500 kit, cam, meth etc. Thanks!
Safety Car
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 4,669
Likes: 1,849
From: Erlanger, Kentucky
I would first pull the valve covers and check all of your springs, rocker arms, and push rods. Could have a broken spring or rocker, maybe a bent pushrod.
If that all looks good, then yes, time to go internal and check the cam and lifters.
That is definitely a loud tap and not normal.
If that all looks good, then yes, time to go internal and check the cam and lifters.
That is definitely a loud tap and not normal.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 8,049
Likes: 330
From: Charlotte NC
St. Jude Donor '14-'15
I would first pull the valve covers and check all of your springs, rocker arms, and push rods. Could have a broken spring or rocker, maybe a bent pushrod.
If that all looks good, then yes, time to go internal and check the cam and lifters.
That is definitely a loud tap and not normal.
If that all looks good, then yes, time to go internal and check the cam and lifters.
That is definitely a loud tap and not normal.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 6,013
Likes: 726
I need to get my car into the shop to get looked at, but in the mean time, I was wondering if anyone can possibly identify what this might be so I have some sort of idea of what I'm dealing with. Obviously only so much can be figured out from an audio clip. This is on a cold start and you can hear it gets a bit louder towards the middle/end. It's not "as" noticeable when the engine is warmed up. Could this be a bad lifter possibly, or something else? '09 with ECS 1500 kit, cam, meth etc. Thanks!
https://youtu.be/RYgBq5IsOoo
https://youtu.be/RYgBq5IsOoo
GL
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 826
Likes: 140
From: AZ
oof. lifter for sure. how many miles on motor ? MIGHT be able to fix it with 1 quart of marvel mystery. **** does wonders for the LS motors. Also, when was your last oil change? what oil and filter ?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 478
Likes: 3
From: Tom's River NJ
Well I kinda figured it would most likely be a bad lifter. Hopefully the cam isn't damaged or anything else. I haven't driven the car in quite some time, in fact that clip was from last summer. I've sorta been avoiding it but I need to get it fixed already. Engine only has 32k on the clock and I've only used Mobil 1 Filter/Synthetic oil. Since I haven't driven it, it's been a minute since any oil changes. I doubt there's more than 1k miles on this oil but it's past due for one on time alone. I'll have to get it in to get looked at, though I'm sure this time of year it will be a bit of a waiting game. Thanks for everyone's help.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 6,013
Likes: 726
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 826
Likes: 140
From: AZ
why so ? I've seen cured lifter ticks from MMO or Rislone. If the lifter is COLLASPED .....different story obviously. If the motor is sludge it's possible the hydraulic lifter isn't getting enough pressure. An oil change certainly wouldn't hurt. Plus then you can look for any bad signs ....ie metal from the cam.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 14,062
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From: Henderson Nv-Rohnert Park/Sonoma C o. ca/born in NY Rockaway Beach.
why so ? I've seen cured lifter ticks from MMO or Rislone. If the lifter is COLLASPED .....different story obviously. If the motor is sludge it's possible the hydraulic lifter isn't getting enough pressure. An oil change certainly wouldn't hurt. Plus then you can look for any bad signs ....ie metal from the cam.
now maybe I’d use it on my 200k mile Honda or Toyota.
but. To chance screwing up my motor more on something like MMO is a big no.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,864
Likes: 4,667
Just curious, does it quiet down after the engine has run for several minutes? My LS7 has some pretty stiff dual springs, and on the first cold start of the day, 1 lifter won't pump up for 2 or 3 minutes. Even then, it's the only time all day it has that sound. Your tapping definitely sounds like a lifter. How stiff are your springs? How much oil pressure at idle, cold and hot? If your noise goes away after 3 or 4 minutes, I'd say your OK. I've lived with mine for 7 years now. Even changed the lifters once, trying to quiet it down, without success. If the noise doesn't go away, ever, I agree with the post about do not drive it any more until the motor comes apart. Look at it this way: If the noise is always there, the motor is gonna have to come apart. If you keep driving it, the motor will take itself apart. It's up to you how it comes apart....
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 826
Likes: 140
From: AZ
If the lifter stops making noise after a minute or so, it's probably OK. Regardless, the rockers and lifters need to be checked. If the lifter is noisy after a few minutes, it probably has collapsed, and needs replacement.
I am pretty sure the C6 pickup tube has an o-ring on it. That is also a very common issue, that causes oil pressure problems, therefore causing lifter issues.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 826
Likes: 140
From: AZ
Just curious, does it quiet down after the engine has run for several minutes? My LS7 has some pretty stiff dual springs, and on the first cold start of the day, 1 lifter won't pump up for 2 or 3 minutes. Even then, it's the only time all day it has that sound. Your tapping definitely sounds like a lifter. How stiff are your springs? How much oil pressure at idle, cold and hot? If your noise goes away after 3 or 4 minutes, I'd say your OK. I've lived with mine for 7 years now. Even changed the lifters once, trying to quiet it down, without success. If the noise doesn't go away, ever, I agree with the post about do not drive it any more until the motor comes apart. Look at it this way: If the noise is always there, the motor is gonna have to come apart. If you keep driving it, the motor will take itself apart. It's up to you how it comes apart....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 6,013
Likes: 726
why so ? I've seen cured lifter ticks from MMO or Rislone. If the lifter is COLLASPED .....different story obviously. If the motor is sludge it's possible the hydraulic lifter isn't getting enough pressure. An oil change certainly wouldn't hurt. Plus then you can look for any bad signs ....ie metal from the cam.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 478
Likes: 3
From: Tom's River NJ
It's definitely still there even after the car is warmed up, just not as loud. I remember thinking I was hearing something in the beginning then it started to get louder and that's when I pretty much stopped driving it. Not sure on oil pressure off the top of my head because it's been a while since I drove it. It appears to run just fine. No codes or anything. Regardless, I am going to get it in to get checked out when I can. I could drain and check the oil but at this point I may as well just let the shop handle it since it's gotta go in anyway.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,449
Likes: 371
From: Maryville TN
St. Jude Donor '06-13,'16-'17, '19
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 39
Likes: 7
Did u ever figure it out I'm having a similar sound in me passenger side can't really hear it at idle but gets louder with rpms I've pretty much replace everything from lifters to pushrods and rod bearings aswell all the old parts looked fine aswell 😒 its so annoying to drive with that ticking noise it's driving me crazy