My car developed a ticking sound that seemed to have started all of a sudden...at least I don't think I have ever noticed it before. It sounds like a loose rocker, but a little more faint. Doesn't seem like an exhaust leak either. It is more noticeable on the driver side. I adjust the rockers just to make sure, but the ticking was still there and didn't seem to change as each rocker was adjusted. What else can cause something similar??
Can an injector ticking be that loud??

like I said, it doesn't seem as loud as a loose rocker, but it is consistent with the speed of the engine.

 

This is exactly the question I had about my 93 Z28. It developed a tick after I took it down the track for the first time. A buddy of mine bought a 93 T/A that had the same noise, and I've noticed it on several other LT1 F-body's. Maybe make a video so we can hear it.

 

its really got me worried that there is something going on that I dont know about. I thought maybe a lifter, but even then I figured it would change as they were adjusted. I would change the oil, but I dont have time...raining now and im getting married tomorrow so after the honeymoon I may look into it more. just hope it holds up until then...

 

Congrats on the wedding

 

Congrats!

Keep us updated..

 

i would check again for exhaust leaks around the manifold

 

Well attempted to find this tick again while I was out changing the oil. checked the exhaust gasket and even replaced it...made sure all header bolts were tight. Still has that tick. Definitely at the top of the engine though. I seem to notice it more while slowing down.
I tried to make a video, but you cant hear it on the video over the rest of the engine noise, plus its a crappy camera.
Only thing I can hope for, I think, is that it is an injector ticking. If so, what is the cause of that and is it a future problem? any easy fix?

 

Get you a mechanics stethescope.......they are cheap, and easy to use.

 

Hmm.. well if isn't exhaust then it's got to be valve train related. It could be something as simple as a build up crud on a lifter, I had a lifter that was ticking once, it had a nice chunk of carbon and gunk on it.

 

I will certainly pick one up...should have had one a long time ago.

im thinking its either lifter or injector. if it isn't a loose rocker, or exhaust, and its at the top on the driver side...dont know what else. hope its good to make the trip next sunday.

 

Yeah, the stethoscope is a good tool to have in the arsenal. I am wondering how the springs looked, maybe a cracked spring? Or maybe a loose valve guide making noise.

You could try and narrow your noise down to the exact cylinder by killing specific cylinders and listening for a noise change. Hope this helps you, G/L!

 

picked up a stethoscope on the way home, and still can not pinpoint where its coming from. I listened to all exhaust ports along the headers, all around the intake manifold, around the valve covers and all the injectors...nothing really stood out as anything louder than anything other spot. the closest thing that seemed to be similar was the injector tick(same type of tick and consistency) but one wasn't louder than the others.
The sound hasn't gotten worse, it just seemed to appear one day from what I can remember(hard to tell over exhaust and music) and performance "feels" the same as it always has with this setup. maybe I just got paranoid