Some more engine ticking

AequitasMurphy · September 30, 2006

Well I know the last thing you guys want to hear is another post about this, but any help would be really appreciated. I have a 2001 Chevy 1500 Z71, and it has about 97k miles on it now. At about 80k is when I first started noticing the noise. On start up the truck has the usual start up idle ticking sound, but that goes away after it warms up. Then it gets a whole different one. To me and a friend it sounds like it is coming from the passanger side of the engine, maybe to the side or underneith it. It is slighty noticeable on revving, but it is really loud while accelerating, and the ticking speeds up along with the RPMs. It hasn't affected performance at all, but it's just really annoying to hear it echo off of walls or any other kind of obstruction wether it be vehicles or whatnot My friend suggested it might be a rocker that is loose, and I know you guys have been talking about lifters on here. I don't know enough about engines to make a diagnosis, and I don't really want to take it in to get checked cause I know how they will screw people over sometimes. I just want to hear what you guys think about it, and I thank you in advance

-Nick

C & A s Dad · October 2, 2006

You can search this and read for days. I have recommended the use of Rislone and in many cases it will help. If it is a lifter that is weak or not working properly due to sludge and build up, the Rislone will likely cure your problem. If it is a real mechanical issue, the Rislone will not help but the good news is that it will not hurt anything by trying it.

Simply change your oil, replace one qt of oil with a qt of Rislone and drive it. If it is going to help, you will see it happen fairly quickly, maybe within the first 500 miles or so.

jschunke · October 2, 2006

One of the best ways to isolate a noise is with a 3/8" hose line.

Put one end to your ear, poke around with the other end. If you

have a bad lifter or valve, you may be able to identify the cylinder

by inspecting the spark plugs. One will be fouled. It could also be

caused by a clogged lifter. Marvel Mystery oil is a great product

to clear up gunk. Otherwise you may have the infamous piston slap.

AequitasMurphy · October 3, 2006

Thanks for your help guys. I just wanted to make sure that, knowing my luck, my engine would seize one day because of this problem. I will try that on my next oil change and see what happens. Thanks again!

-Nick

badbrown427 · October 5, 2006

my truck also does the same start up ticking but goes away when its fully warmed up. with my exhaust its hard to hear anything else but do let us know how things turn out.

duckhunter87 · October 5, 2006

I had this problem in my 2001 Sierra. I used to hear it occasionally but never thought anything of it. I was towing my boat one day and it got really bad and caused the service engine soon light to come on. I went for a diagnostic test and it came up to be the knock sensors. Basically they are there to override the ticking and pinging of cheap or bad gas. I was told by a GM certified mechanic that this was the problem but it would not cause any damage except for the annoying noise. There are 2 of these sensors and I had the both replaced. No more ticking noises.