V6Discussion and questions about the base carbureted or MPFI V6's and the rare SFI Turbo V6.
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I was driving home today and heard a rattling sound. As soon as I got home, I popped the hood to do the usual 'find the noise' area. Seems to coming from the driver's side valve cover. Got a long screwdriver and listened to it and noticed 'clacking sounds'. Then listened to the passenger side valve cover and it sounded much quieter than the driver's side. Lifters, rocker arms,valves need tightnening?
Check your PCV valve.. Its right on top of the valve cover. That was making a clicking noise on me so i cleaned it with throttle body cleaner and now it doesn't make a sound..
I let the car set for about 3 hours when I got home and started it back up and it didn't make the tapping sound. I checked the oil level and it was about 3/4" above the full mark. The car might have too much oil and that may be causing the tapping sound. Oil might be foaming up.
I can tell you this. I drained some oil to get it back to the full mark on the stick. I let the car idle and didn't hear it. Once again, I put it in drive and heard it as I was taking off. The car idles at 800 rpm and I don't hear any tapping from the valve cover. The ONLY time I hear it is between 1000 and 1500 rpms when I'm taking off or coming to a stop within that rpm range. I need to make sure it's not a bracket or something making the sound. I had a power steering bracket do that once, but I have checked that already. At least it's not tapping all the time when driving.
Next time you remove the valve cover, take a quick yank on all of the pushrods and check for play.
__________________ Dan V.
Project Raven is on hold... She's a body shell with a rather large collection of parts. 1987 Pontiac Firebird, T-top, 1991 VIN T engine, getting MegaSquirted. 85 T-5 5-Speed manual trans. Hybrid 3100 V6 swap nearly complete, too much body work to do first . Restomod in progress. So many parts to replace, so little money .
It's been raining here so can't get out and do much. At least its the driver's side which is a little easier. You are right Mav, I need to check them all rather than just one. Hey, the engine has probably got 220k miles on it. I've had this car for 15 years and never needed any tranny work or major engine work. Ya gotta roll with the punches. I'll let ya know what I find.
. Restomod in progress. So many parts to replace, so little money 
