Just noticed this this evening. There's a ticking sound coming from the engine compartment. Sounds like it's in an area around the rear of the block driver's side. Frequency is about 5 ticks per second at idle....any faster and the exhaust starts to drown it out. I know my engine, and I know this isn't normal.

Only thing I've done recently is to put some fuel injector cleaner in this morning with a fillup, but it's never caused anything like this before.

Any suggestions as to what it could be?

I don't want to drive it any more than necessary, but I have a 40 mile drive I have to do tomorrow. Guess I better get a hold of that government car first thing tomorrow to do that drive.

 

There could be a variety of different issues. A few days ago I posted "Mechanic says acceptable amount of valve tap in LT1's?" or something to that effect... Ticking or tapping can (and IM no master in LT1 science, just spend way too much money fixing things that arent broken) be from a loose spark plug, or a hole in the manifold or header gasket... from my experience headers tend to blow out gaskets alot in the LT1. The injectors seem to get louder with higher mile LT1s. Check for arcing at night between spark plug wires. Also, folks suggested to me to get a sthestiscope (sp?) and listen in to see if you can hear. Hope this helps a little ... man dont do what I did and just spend $525 on a complete Felpro header gasket install unless its really necessary.
Best of Luck, I know how you feel Im real particular about my engine as well.

-Mike

 

Could be a leak off one of the manifolds...you sure its just not the injectors??? Friend of mine heard mine and it was the first time he'd heard an LT1 he was like WTF is that noise...scared the **** outta me so I took to my mechanic he said it was just the injectors...thats what I Thought but my friend was sooo sure I had a problem I had it checked...

 

could be the notorious LT1 injector noise, could be a leaky manifold gasket, or it could be your Rocker Arms, lossened up. If u rev it high or drag race it alot this could offer some explination as to why ur hearing a sound! Could also be a lifter making the noise....

 

Thanks for the input guys. I had the gaskets changed out when I had the headers put on a year ago. That and the injectors were my first thoughts, but I had never heard this before and that kinda had me worried. I'll take it easy on the car for now, and if the noise changes in anyway, I'll have it checked out.

 

hope it isnt a lifter! they have that same kinda noise.
good luck


-Mike

 

I have had a manifold leak before so I know what it can sound like. Funny story...I took it to the chevy dealership to take a looki at it when I had the leak before. They recommended replacing the engine...even after I told them it's probably a manifold leak!!

This may be the same thing....hard to tell right now. It wasn't as bad this morning....Suffice to say I'm not quite as worried as I was last night.

 

Did you make sure all of your header bolts were still tight?

 

Good Idea....I remeber hearing they've been known to back out a bit on a few occasions. I'll check it this evening when the engine is cool....Thanks....

 

your welcome... within a month, mine had backed out 2 times so try that

 

Hows your oil looking, could be lifters.

 

Make sure all of your spark plugs are tight.