I've been noticing this strange ticking sound comin from my engine. When i put my ear to it i hear it close to the intake manifold. I'm not sure whether it's the injectors or maybe the valves. Can anyone tell me how to diagnose this correctly. It does have an aftermarket fuel pressure regulator and i've heard that injectors tick louder with more fuel pressure or are they about to south on me? Also how can i tell if it's valve ticking. Like i said i hear it mostly close to the intake.


1991 Z28 1LE 5.7 liter auto.

 

Forgot to tell you the motor has 144k miles on it but it runs really strong.

1991 Z28 1LE 5.7 auto.

 

I believe if it's the injectors you should be able to put your figure on them and feel the pulse as the ticking sound starts.
Could also be a collapsed lifter, but I hear the injectors are usually the problem.

 

Does it mean the fuel injectors are going bad?

 

Another thing the car idles good, car starts up on the first turn of the ignition, engine doesn't even shake. Took er out for a few hard runs last night. Car doesn't backfire or anything like that.
How do you know if you have a bad lifter?


1991 Z28 1LE 5.7 auto.

 

i got the same sound and finally found out it was the exhaust manifold gasket the rear bolt was very loose and i tighted it and it went away hope this helps

 

Feel around (very carefully) by the exhaust manifolds/headers for an exhaust leak. If the car runs as good as you say it does, I doubt its a bad lifter... an exhaust leak would produce a tick but would not take away from how well the car runs.

 

Be careful with this, don't let the car run long or you'll get burnt. But yeah it could be an exhaust leak, but usually that isn't from around the intake, can you here it from inside the car, I know I have one right now, and you can hear it from the inside.

 

I bet its the normal ticking of the fuel injectors opening and closing. As the person said before, just put your finger on top of the fuel injectors and see if the tick goes along with the pulse you'll feel. It is completely normal that they tick.