Posted: 11/12/2002 7:28:53 PM EDT
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I figure I post here first before I take it to the shop and get reamed. It may be a simple fix but I doubt it. OK here is the car: 1998 Camaro. 5.7 V8 Percieved problem: loud clicking sound in the engine right around the passenger side. Clicking increases and decreases with throttle. RPM's seems to be stable. No loss of pick up. Notice higher gas usage though. Use to get around 15MPG now getting around 10MPG last tank. No change in driving habits. Been using recommended gas(mid grade) although varying distributors. Last 2 tanks, I've used Chevron. Maintenance done lately: 2 months ago, had wires and plugs replaced, basic tune up done. Injectors cleaned 6months ago as well as replaced alternator with a rebuilt alternator and new belt. Mileage: 53,000 My guess: Problem with cylinder(s) Not sure though cause I am not experiencing and noticeable loss of power. Maybe just some bad gas. Well any guesses suggestion is welcome. I really don't want to get reamed by the auto shop. I also do not want to be stranded in the middle of nowhere cause my engine siezed. |
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Check the oil. If that doesn't do it then take it to a shop. Your going to pay alot because this is one of the most feared Vehicles on the planet. they put the motor under the winshield, getting to the plugs on these things is a real Bitch. also .. check to see if the injector seals are leaking. |
| Oil is good. 2 votes for lifters, I was afraid of that. I was kind of praying it was something simple as whacking it on the side with a hammer. [;)] And yes my tune up cost me an arm and a leg due to the fact of the positioning of the plugs and the plugs that they use for the Camaro and Corvettes. |
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F-body plugs aren't that bad, if you have the time, patience, and a good floor jack... I've had 2 Firebirds (a 91, and my current 93 T/A), and never had an engine clicking problem (heater core on #1, optispark on #2 (fixed for free by the dealer who sold it to me), assorted other minor-part issues, but no engine trouble)... It seems a little early (4yrs?) for that kind of engine trouble, though... P.S. Is it 'clicking' or 'popping/pinging'? If #2, you may have detonation (knock) issues (try running premium instead of mid)... Also, where specifically in the engine is the noise coming from (open up the hood, have someone run it up, and listen around in the engine bay)... And yes, the engine mounting on the 93 & later cars was MORONIC.... =================== As for the motor questions, the LS1 (98+ F-body/Corvette V8) is a standard pushrod engine, with self-adjusting rockers (iirc)... |
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Quoted: I don't know much about Chevys. If it is an OHC, my guess is lifters. Either you are low on oil or the lifters on one bank are going. -934 Is this the LT1 or LS1 ? I can't remember which year the LS1 was dropped in the F-body. Anyway either motor is a good'ole pushrod V-8 so something with a lifter on that bank maybe ? No roller rockers on there right ? |
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Quoted: Quoted: I don't know much about Chevys. If it is an OHC, my guess is lifters. Either you are low on oil or the lifters on one bank are going. -934 Is this the LT1 or LS1 ? I can't remember which year the LS1 was dropped in the F-body. Anyway either motor is a good'ole pushrod V-8 so something with a lifter on that bank maybe ? No roller rockers on there right ? The LT1 (reverse cooled, a little too fancy for GM's taste) was dropped around 96-97. He's got an early-run LS1. And yes, he has roller-rockers. They've been doing that since the L03 (5.0L TBI motor, 87-92 Formula/RS/base models) |
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Quoted: Oh, and don't forget to check the pilsner flow. Quoted: I was wondering if this motor has hydraulic lash adjustors? OK I gotta admit, you guys are starting to talk Greek here. Dave_A, it is definitely Clicking, and not knocking. I started hearing it from the cabin with the passenger window down about 3wks ago. Figured its the gas I am using so I started using Chevron only. Clicking was still there, so I had it in my garage, open the hood to hear where it was coming from. That is when I found that it would click up and down with the throttle. And it was coming mainly from the passenger side. That is why after reading the lifters comment, it made sense. Sounds like you know these engines well FALARAK, I will check the wires and plugs and see. Hopefully its just that simple. |
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hydrualic lash adjusters go in between the valve head and rocker arm.theyre like a little shock(eliminates the manual nut/screw type valve adjusting)the rocker arms are what pushes down the exhaust/intake valves.The lash adjusters buffer that. If one of these fail, it will make a clicking sound like you describe. Now, im not sure if this engine has those, but if it does, I would start there as this is a simple fix.Hope thats it, buddy. |
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One thing I forgot to mention earlier. Check your coolant. Also look for signs that oil is in the coolant or vice versa. It's always possibly that overheating could be the underlying cause of something else going wrong. Not too likely, but something you want to check. If the thermostat has malfunctioned, it will do this also. If the system works like most cars, you can check for function by; When the engine is COLD, remove the radiator cap and observe the coolant. Start the engine and look at it again, just to get know what it looks like before it changes. Now watch it for a few minutes while the engine idles and warms up. It should not take more than a few minutes. When the thermostat opens, it will usually do so quickly and you should see a sudden flow as the water pump starts circulating the coolant. You can also observe the exhaust. Is it smoking slightly? Steam? Can you hear a cylinder missing? Another couple of tricks you can use to localize a sound from an engine is to use a mechanics stethescope. Like the doctor version but has a steel probe. Many auto parts stores now lend or rent tools. You would place the tip on each part you suspect the noise is coming from. Each port of the exhaust or intake and listen for where the sound is loudest. It should pretty obvious when you are right on it. If you can't get a stethoscope use a long screwdriver, socket extention, steel rod, etc. and put your hand (fist) around the end and your ear against your hand. Press the other end to the various parts you are trying to listen to. Not as useful but can work is a length of vacuum hose. |
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Check oil first then [b]Maintenance done lately: 2 months ago, had wires and plugs replaced, basic tune up done. Injectors cleaned 6months ago as well as replaced alternator with a rebuilt alternator and new belt.[/b] Bring it back to the shop that did this work and say " I was Just in here and it didnt do it before " They will check their work and it is a Fair to good chance it has some thing to do with the wires or plugs install. HEI system can produce a clicking noise if grounding out. If they didnt do it they will most likely be able to tell you what it is with out a check out charge. GOOD luck. Unless you can find a place you can trust you have a 50/50 chance of getting ripped off at any car repair center. Either from outright theft or stupidity. Tech's dont flame me : 10 year Dealer service manager. I still am amazed by the industry and how it puts up with theft. |
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LT, It sounds like it could be a bad plug wire or a loose plug wire. The plug wire cap should pop down on top of the plug. Check that first and see if that is your problem. If the wires are tight then it could be a bad wire. I know you said they were just changed but check them anyway. You can get outside at night and open the hood with it running and look for a blue glow or spark jumping to something. Let me know if this doesn't help and I will check with a buddy that works at the Pontiac dealership. BigDozer66 |
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The 5.7 like virtually ALL other modern cars has hydraulic lifters! Antything that wears or dirt in a lifter can make a noise such as you describe. So can a few other things. Even a BELT can make a "clicking" noise - and those are $10 or so. When you write that check for repair, remember what you spent your time learning rather than getting grease under your fingernails! Gas WILL NOT do this or lead to it. I have a 95 Z-28 and burn the cheapest junk around and get no ping, no complaint. These things have computer controled timing and a knock sensor so gas grade is far less an issue than it once was. Even todays premium is a far cry from true high octane! |
| Start the engine. Set idle so it's making "clicking" noise. Put on leather gloves. Now unplug, and plug in each plug wire on distributor. If clicking noise stops when a wire is unplugged, you have just discovered the problem. Could also be an exhaust donut too... |
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Car makes clicking sound hot or cold. I also have checked for loose plug wires. Wasn't that. The belt, I have not checked. Will do that at lunch. That's true, iforgot about that. It does click if the belt is loose. Thanks guys!! I knew you guys would narrow it down. Looks like I may have some work to do this weekend, and maybe some cash to shell out. If it is the lifters, I don't think I can do the job by myself. |
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Quoted: It could be your NEW alternator you just bought when you missed out onf the Summer Hun Farm event.... Is it still under warranty? Pop the hood and have a listen... you can adjust the throttle from under the hood too. I put off checking it till the weekend. I really don't have the time or the money till then anyways. |
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Quoted: I have a 1994 Z28. A few years ago the engine made a clicking noise like the one you describe. I took it to the dealer, and they said it was a bad plug and wire. You are probably correct! Hey LT-- how old and how many miles are on that thing? Maybe its time for new wires? |
| LT, it's always tough to diagnose a noise without seeing the car. Sometimes a wire goes bad and it arcs out on any ground next to it. It can be tight on the plug end and still click when it fires. This can be seen easily in the dark if that's the problem. A bad lifter could be the problem too. Also the 'smog system' coming off the exhaust manifold can break, that is the small pipes . If you suspect a belt, take a can of wd-40 and spray the belt good while the car is running, if the noise stops you know the belt is bad. |
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Does it make the sound when its at idle? Or does the motor have to be under load? If it doesnt make the sound at idle if you rev it up while in park does it make the sound? An exhaust leak will lots of time not make the sound while at idle or while the car is in park and being reved. But if you put the trans in gear and hold the break and give the engine gas to put the engine under load it will start to leak and you will get the sound. BKVic |
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I asked my friend who has a 96 firechicken and is all into those things and he said it sounds like you have a bad fuel injector. He had one that clogged up, causing that cylinder to run lean and hot. To compensate for that cylinder the computer was telling that injector to stay open longer to make up for the lost fuel. That in turn caused his fuel consumption to increase. The clicking noise was the injector fuel slide valve (?) as it was hitting the deposit. He drove it around till the engine check light came on too. Since that one cylinder was running lean it jacked up the o2 sensor. That's what caused the light to come on. He replaced that one injector and his o2 sensor and reset the computer. |
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Quoted: Check oil first then [b]Maintenance done lately: 2 months ago, had wires and plugs replaced, basic tune up done. Injectors cleaned 6months ago as well as replaced alternator with a rebuilt alternator and new belt.[/b] Bring it back to the shop that did this work and say " I was Just in here and it didnt do it before " They will check their work and it is a Fair to good chance it has some thing to do with the wires or plugs install. HEI system can produce a clicking noise if grounding out. If they didnt do it they will most likely be able to tell you what it is with out a check out charge. GOOD luck. Unless you can find a place you can trust you have a 50/50 chance of getting ripped off at any car repair center. Either from outright theft or stupidity. Tech's dont flame me : 10 year Dealer service manager. I still am amazed by the industry and how it puts up with theft. [b]Heed this advise ! This is not internet armchair bullshit. [/b] I save the real bullshit for non-car related related threads. |
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Apologies in advance, I just couldn't resist... Nothing useful for the car, but anybody else remember these guys? -Z ------------------------------------ Bitchin' Camaro by the Dead Milkmen - Hey Jack, what's happenin'? - I don't know. - Well uh, rumour around town says you mighht be thinkin' 'bout goin' down to the shore. - Uh, yeah, I think I'm gonna go down to thhe shore. - Whadda ya gonna do down there? - Uh, I don't know, p-play some video gamess, buy some Def Leppard t-shirts. - Don't forget your Motley Crue t-shirt; y''know all proceeds go to get their lead singer out a' jail. - Uh huh. - Can't wait to go down. Hey uh, were ya goonna check out the sand bar while you're down there? - Uh, what's the Sand Bar? - Ah, it's a place that lets sixteen year-oold kids drink. - Ah, cool. - Ya hey, guess who's gonna be there? - Uh, who? - My favourite cover band, Crystal Shit. - Wow. - Yeah, they do a Doors show, you'd be reallly impressed, in fact, it goes a little like this: Love me two times baby Love me twice today Love me two times girl Cause I got AIDS Love me two times baby, once for tomorrow, once cause I got AIDS - Uh... - Pretty good Jim Morrison impersonation thhere. I hope those guys have a good sense a' humour and don't take us into court. - Uh, what's the court? - Never mind that, the important thing heree... - You mean the People's Court. - The... Now, that's another story. The impportant thing here is that we get to the part where you ask me how I'm gonna get down to the shore. - Oh, how you gettin' down to the shore? - Funny you should ask, I've got a car now.. - Ah wow, how'd ya get a car? - Oh, my folks drove it up here from the Baahamas. - You're kidding! - I must be, the Bahamas are islands. Okay,, the important thing here is that, uh, you ask me what kinda car it is. - Uh uh, what kinda car do ya' got? - I've got a bitchin' Camaro... (1.2.3.4) Bitchin' Camaro, Bitchin' Camaro! I ran over my neighbors Bitchin' Camaro, Bitchin' Camaro! Now I'm in all the papers My folks bought me a bitchin' Camaro With no insurance to match So if I happen to run you down Please don't leave a scratch I ran over some old lady One night at the county fair And I didn't get arrested Because my dad's the mayor Bitchin' Camaro, Bitchin' Camaro! Donuts on your lawn Bitchin' Camaro, Bitchin' Camaro! Tony Orlando and Dawn When I drive past the kids They all spit and cuss Cause I've got a bitchin' Camaro And they have to ride the bus So you'd better get out of my way When I come through your yard Cause I've got a bitchin' Camaro And an Exxon credit card Bitchin' Camaro, Bitchin' Camaro! Hey man where ya headed? Bitchin' Camaro, Bitchin' Camaro! I'm drunk on unleaded! |
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