Okay. This doesn't happen most of the time - but once in awhile I hear a moderate tick from my engine for the first 10 seconds or so of driving.. What could this be and why would it happen?

Thanks in advance...

Sal

The engine may tick for a wee while due to oil pressure building up...... I wouldnt think its something too terrible, much less something to worry about......

Depending on where it is sometimes an exhaust leak can make a ticking noise. Ive got that on one of my cars. If you start it with the hood open can you hear where it's coming from?

I'd open the hood to see but it happens so rarely... Ya know? I'm guessing it's probably nothing serious but since I plan on keeping this car for a long, long time - I just want to be sure...

Thanks, guys.. If anyone else has any thoughts, please let me know...

Could that be a lifter?? I hope not! Sounds like new engine time. :D

I don't think it's a lifter..

Come on, now.. We've got a ton of LT1 Fleetwood guys here and I'd like to get more input.. Anybody?

I don't think it's a lifter..

Come on, now.. We've got a ton of LT1 Fleetwood guys here and I'd like to get more input.. Anybody?

It may be a cracked exhaust manifold. It's a VERY common trouble on the LT1's. Also, make sure all the bolts are still in the exhaust manifolds. It's common for them to back out, but usually they just break. :(

Take it from me, I have a broken bolt in my driver's side head. If the flanges weren't so damn thick on my headers, I'd be slightly more concerned about it. ;)

But if it were that, wouldn't I hear the tapping all the time? Thanks for replying! :)

But if it were that, wouldn't I hear the tapping all the time? Thanks for replying! :)That *might* be true, but on the other hand, as the metal heats up it expands. A small leak might actually close up enough to get rid of the noise. And the exhaust side does heat up pretty fast...

Howard's right that a minor exhaust leak can actually be self-sealing thanks to thermal expansion. Chances are it is a lifter though if it only lasts for about 10 sec. The air pump will be on for more than 10 sec and an exhaust leak will usually last more than that too. It IS possible that it's the belt. Have you gotten an oil change yet?

I got an oil change a couple of weeks ago..

What oil did they use? If the oil's too heavy, it will make a weak lifter take forever to pump up, especially now that the outside temps are cooling off.

5w30 synthetic.. That's pretty thin, right? I'm PRETTY sure it did this before the oil change also...

I hope there wasn't a problem they were hiding with the engine, ie. you can buy that "quiet lifters" stuff in a bottle!? And when you got an oil change, it re-emerged. I would use 10w30, donesn't the owner's manual recommend this?

5w30 synthetic.. That's pretty thin, right? I'm PRETTY sure it did this before the oil change also...

That's the same oil I use. Maybe 10w-30 dino would be better in some ways but what Sal's using probably isn't a factor in the ticking noise. Any decent mechanic should be able to ID the source of the noise as soon as he hears it.

Its a cracked passenger side exhaust manifold.

Trust me. I've owned more than one or two LT1 vehicles and its always the manifold.

Check your manifold bolts first. Manifold issues are common. Hopefully you only have a couple of loose bolts. Don't overtighten, torque to spec in FSM. Broken manifold bolts require PB Blaster and "special" MAGIC WORDS. If any bolts are missing use GM replacements with high temp (copper) anti seize. D.

Okay. This doesn't happen most of the time - but once in awhile I hear a moderate tick from my engine for the first 10 seconds or so of driving.. What could this be and why would it happen?

Thanks in advance...

Sal
Hey Sal, have you checked the running engine in the dark to see if there might be an ignition short that clears up once the compartment is hot - no dampness.
Regards
Jim Knox, 96 Flt Br

Thanks for the replies on this.. I haven't checked anything lately. All I do know is that the colder it is, the louder it is. On warm days, it may not happen at all...

My guess is cracked exhaust manifold. Had the same sound on my impala ss. When I yanked the motor the right side exhaust was cracked. It would tick until it got warm.

It sounds more and more like the manifold theory is correct. A slight crack or leak will quickly disappear as the manifold heats up. This happens fast... just start the car and see how long you can hold onto the manifold. (Don't really do this)

The back bolts are notorious for breaking off on the LT1... The GOOD news is at each end of the head there are 2 sets of holes and aftermarket headers attach to the OTHER holes. That is how I fixed mine.

Good Luck,

I don't think it's a lifter..

Come on, now.. We've got a ton of LT1 Fleetwood guys here and I'd like to get more input.. Anybody?


Kinda blind as to mileage etc., but since Hyd lifters on Lt1's need a quarter turn of preload, chances are if mileage is high that you can simply pull the valve covers and tweak an 8th turn in all and hear a difference. Change Oil
and Filter and ride.

Okay. This doesn't happen most of the time - but once in awhile I hear a moderate tick from my engine for the first 10 seconds or so of driving.. What could this be and why would it happen?

Thanks in advance...

Sal
I had a 1997 Camaro Z28 with the LT1. I had it too. It's called piston slap. The pistons actually move around in the cylinder a little bit causing the noise. Once the engine warms up the pistons expand and fill up the cylinder so there is no slap. A lot of cars have this, just with an LT1 it's VERY noticable.


Later,
Dave

My car has about 65,000 miles on it.. Is this something expensive to have done for me? I bearly have enough time to get my hair cut anymore. :(

As a Camaro guy I know this is normal for an LT1 and if you read the FAQ on f-bodies.com it does state this fact.