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Ls3 sowing machine noise please help is this normal?!

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Old Nov 14, 2024 | 12:35 PM
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Default Ls3 sowing machine noise please help is this normal?!

https://youtube.com/shorts/HssWodhupwg?si=93s8YehMXAk7BdCY video here I hope the link works, the sound of a sowing machine/ticking is pronounced between 1500-2000rpm and from the inside is pounder from the drivers side.
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Old Nov 19, 2024 | 09:41 PM
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Originally Posted by Aaron john
https://youtube.com/shorts/HssWodhupwg?si=93s8YehMXAk7BdCY video here I hope the link works, the sound of a sowing machine/ticking is pronounced between 1500-2000rpm and from the inside is pounder from the drivers side.
Yes, that is the infamous LS sewing machine noise. It’s a combo of injectors firing and valve train acoustics of an all aluminum motor.
Any mods? Headers will make the sound much more pronounced. It sounds completely normal btw.
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Old Nov 20, 2024 | 07:10 PM
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Originally Posted by bwill03z
Yes, that is the infamous LS sewing machine noise. It’s a combo of injectors firing and valve train acoustics of an all aluminum motor.
Any mods? Headers will make the sound much more pronounced. It sounds completely normal btw.


car just has a Corsa cat back. Just drove it and 3-4000rpm I can hear and feel the noise/vibration through the shifter as well as hear it. Yeah it sounds like “ticking” but it drives me crazy
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Old Nov 20, 2024 | 08:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Aaron john
https://youtube.com/shorts/HssWodhupwg?si=93s8YehMXAk7BdCY video here I hope the link works, the sound of a sowing machine/ticking is pronounced between 1500-2000rpm and from the inside is pounder from the drivers side.
Believe me I totally understand. The valve train noises drive me crazy too, but all LS motors tick to a certain degree. Some are worse than others bust most of the time it’s normal. Sometimes if you have a little extra ticking aside from the normal sewing machine noise it could be a lifter or valve making noise. The rocker trunnions are also known to fail and cause some extra ticking as well. To me, yours sounds fine but with a couple of tools you can pull your valve covers off and check to make sure the rocker bolts are tight and that everything looks as it should.
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Old Nov 21, 2024 | 03:14 PM
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Originally Posted by bwill03z
Believe me I totally understand. The valve train noises drive me crazy too, but all LS motors tick to a certain degree. Some are worse than others bust most of the time it’s normal. Sometimes if you have a little extra ticking aside from the normal sewing machine noise it could be a lifter or valve making noise. The rocker trunnions are also known to fail and cause some extra ticking as well. To me, yours sounds fine but with a couple of tools you can pull your valve covers off and check to make sure the rocker bolts are tight and that everything looks as it should.


I really appreciate you taking the time to respond and share your knowledge. Brings me some peace of mind, I’ve accepted that it’s not harmful nor a major issue but I will do my due diligence to inspect the valvetrain and see if there’s anything I can do to reduce noise
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Old Nov 21, 2024 | 04:16 PM
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Originally Posted by Aaron john
I really appreciate you taking the time to respond and share your knowledge. Brings me some peace of mind, I’ve accepted that it’s not harmful nor a major issue but I will do my due diligence to inspect the valvetrain and see if there’s anything I can do to reduce noise
You’re welcome…I’ve been there and know how frustrating it can be. If it were to get noisier just keep an eye on the oil when you change it and make sure it looks clean, but yea I’m sure you’re fine. Enjoy your car
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Old Mar 19, 2025 | 09:03 AM
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hi did you ever find a problem or all normal!

Originally Posted by Aaron john
https://youtube.com/shorts/HssWodhupwg?si=93s8YehMXAk7BdCY video here I hope the link works, the sound of a sowing machine/ticking is pronounced between 1500-2000rpm and from the inside is pounder from the drivers side.
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Old Mar 19, 2025 | 09:28 AM
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When I did heads, cam , shorty headers and roller rockers on my LS2 I could clearly hear valve tapping noises especially when warmed up. Since I used LS7 lifters I new there was 0.200 of lifter take up so I bought 0.025 longer push rods. Quieted it down a lot.

I don't know if it was your video or not but I really didn't hear anything concerning when I watched it. Sounded more like injectors than valves.
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