Hrm...ticking noise... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Project1970 · 08-13-2002, 05:18 PM

Today, not very long after I fired up my truck (not a cold start though - plenty warm in AZ, after you drive once, every start that day is a hot start, ha!) I noticed a light, regular ticking noise at idle. I know I've heard it before...and this time I decided to see if it eventually would go away, I'd never paid attention to it before.

So, I drove home, about 4 miles of freeway at 70-80mph, stop in my driveway and listen - it's gone.

What could it be? A lifter starting to go? Is it terribly serious? I don't mind the noise at all, I just can't afford to be babying this engine or doing massive work on it...

71GMC_3/4T · 08-13-2002, 06:05 PM

Exhaust Manifold leak? Those usually go away when it heats up.
You might try tightening all the bolts - maybe you'll find a loose one.

Project1970 · 08-13-2002, 07:41 PM

I'll try that, but it's not like there was a vast temperature difference - I drove it 3 or 4 miles on the freeway there, it was plenty warm...went inside for about a half hour, came back out, fired it up, the temp was still pretty close to normal operating temp on the gauge...

big blue 72 · 08-14-2002, 12:12 AM

try a higher octane gas to see if that helps. Did with mine.

Paul Clark · 08-14-2002, 12:34 AM

Get a piece of old garden/radiator/whatever hose and put it up to your ear. Stick it around under there and see if you can locate the ticking sound.
If all the manifold bolts are tight, it could still mean you have a blown gasket.
Big Blue 72 - did the higher octane get rid of a knock a idle, or when you were punching it?
It could be something simple - like a bomb. Haven't "ticked" anyone off lately have you?

Project1970 · 08-14-2002, 03:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by big blue 72
try a higher octane gas to see if that helps. Did with mine.

I switched from 87 to 89 and got rid of a high-RPM rattle. This is different, though.

Hooter · 08-14-2002, 03:51 AM

do u have a leter model intake manifold with egr. Is so check the egr valve my chevy van was making a tiking noise becaue the egr gasket was leaking

Project1970 · 08-14-2002, 04:04 AM

Nope...nearly stock...EGR-free! Woo!

08-13-2002, 05:18 PM	#1
Project1970 14.1 @ 96MPH Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 2,811	Hrm...ticking noise... Today, not very long after I fired up my truck (not a cold start though - plenty warm in AZ, after you drive once, every start that day is a hot start, ha!) I noticed a light, regular ticking noise at idle. I know I've heard it before...and this time I decided to see if it eventually would go away, I'd never paid attention to it before. So, I drove home, about 4 miles of freeway at 70-80mph, stop in my driveway and listen - it's gone. What could it be? A lifter starting to go? Is it terribly serious? I don't mind the noise at all, I just can't afford to be babying this engine or doing massive work on it... __________________ Project1970 - LS1 Swap Complete!

08-13-2002, 06:05 PM	#2
71GMC_3/4T Weapons Of Construction Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 1,095	Exhaust Manifold leak? Those usually go away when it heats up. You might try tightening all the bolts - maybe you'll find a loose one. __________________ 1971 GMC 2500, 402/TH400 4.10 Daily Driver Lafayette, CO

08-13-2002, 07:41 PM	#3
Project1970 14.1 @ 96MPH Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 2,811	I'll try that, but it's not like there was a vast temperature difference - I drove it 3 or 4 miles on the freeway there, it was plenty warm...went inside for about a half hour, came back out, fired it up, the temp was still pretty close to normal operating temp on the gauge... __________________ Project1970 - LS1 Swap Complete!

08-14-2002, 03:51 AM	#7
Hooter My other Love Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Castlegar B.C. Canada Posts: 4,078	do u have a leter model intake manifold with egr. Is so check the egr valve my chevy van was making a tiking noise becaue the egr gasket was leaking __________________ MEMBER DISCS UP FRONT CLUB 69 custom camper/cst 10 70 monte carlo 383 stroker with a 700r4 77 fully loaded silverado (back in the backyard for a little while longer) 1980 BMW 320i (back in the garage finally) 1981 f@*d f150 4x4 (Robert red ford) tried to kill me 1972 Honda ct 90 trailbike Castlegar B.C.The great white North (Canada Eh!) Hooter_5@hotmail.com AC/DC RULES!!! First generation Monte Carlo club pictures of my life

08-14-2002, 04:04 AM	#8
Project1970 14.1 @ 96MPH Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 2,811	Nope...nearly stock...EGR-free! Woo! __________________ Project1970 - LS1 Swap Complete!

08-14-2002, 12:12 AM	#4
big blue 72 Senior Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: hamilton,ohio,usa Posts: 1,499	try a higher octane gas to see if that helps. Did with mine.

08-14-2002, 12:34 AM	#5
Paul Clark Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Center Point, IA Posts: 502	Get a piece of old garden/radiator/whatever hose and put it up to your ear. Stick it around under there and see if you can locate the ticking sound. If all the manifold bolts are tight, it could still mean you have a blown gasket. Big Blue 72 - did the higher octane get rid of a knock a idle, or when you were punching it? It could be something simple - like a bomb. Haven't "ticked" anyone off lately have you?



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