Stock LO3 in a 1992 Camaro RS. It's ticking away... started after an oil change and tune up. Wrong oil? Lifter going bad? Here's a video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCG2v...e=channel_page

 

How many miles on it?
What grade of oil did you use?

 

120k. Not very much for an LO3. Not sure what oil was put in. I was going to change it myself, but my parents had it done before I had a chance.

 

Stupid Question- Is the fluid level full?

It could be ticking if they put really thick/thin oil in it.
Id probably change it again to see if the ticking stops. I run 10W-30 in my L03 car, no ticks, 145K.

 

Did you replace the distrubutor cap and rotor? I had this same problem with mine after a tune-up. For me it was the rotor hitting off the cap because the cap was not down all the way and was sitting on it funny, make sure the cap is all the way down and that it is flush with everything. And also make sure the rotor is down all the way.
I could also be a plug wire that is not on the plug at the block, it could be sparking at the sub frame, and is your idle going up and down?

 

ruberbanman, was yours also throwing a code 43 (knock sensor related) when this was going on. The tbi in my truck is doing the exact same yours was. now I know what to check. thanks.

 

sounds like a lifter

whats your oil PSI it idle and at cruise

get a stetascope (bad spelling ) and put it on the valve cover over each cyl, you should be able to tell what one is ticking away

 

Im not sure, when it was going on I was soo busy trying to figure out what it was I didnt even check for a code. If I seen the check engine light on, I probably would have looked up the code but I dont recall it being on.

 

Yes, we did put a new cap and rotor on... Hmm. And yes, the idle sounds pretty steady, but the tach is always bouncing around between 1100 and 1300 rpm. I couldn't figure out why. It's annoying! Is that what it is?

 

We'll have to change the oil and see what's up... I really hope it's not a lifter. That could be expensive, and I would probably end up going with new lifters and a cam... probably over $1,000 total for that and labor. This car must think the money for it's repairs grows on trees, and clearly, it doesn't, I make $5.53 an hour after all the taxes are taken out of my wage.

So let's see. 20 hours a week, times $5.53... roughly $440/month. Then subtract $130/month for insurance, $60/month for gas, and $50 for "dates" and I'm left with a crappy $220. So around five months to afford that. Greeaaaattt!

But if I do that I might have over 200rwhp!

 

check your spark plug wires

 

Yea, i thought it was a lifter on my car but it wasnt, make sure you check the plug wires at the distributor and at the plugs, and also make sure the cap is down all the way and flush with everything.

 

you need to find someone local to help you install the cam and lifters if you go that way its easy to do anyway

or you could be really cheap and replace the lifter thats bad if thats the case

 

Both my water pump and alternator made that same clicking noise when they were going. As others have said, it could be a lifter as well.