I just got my car a little less than 2 weeks ago. Last Saturday I, and some other people noticed a slight 'tapping noise' from the left bank (passenger side). 2 people thought it was a wire arcing, or a symptom thereof and 1 person thougt it may be a lifter going bad. The oil pressure is good, and we added a little more oil (it was slightly down), so that isn't a problem. It is quiet/ non-existant at startup, and as the engine warms up, it gets louder, enough so that I can hear it reflected off the cars next to me when I have the windows down. Because of this, I am going to get some plugs and wires tomorrow, are there any brands to stay away from. There is a Napa, pepboys, Murrys, Autozone and a Meijer's close by to me, any suggestion on the best place to go?

The SES light also turns on and off at random once the engine is up to temp. It doesn't seem to be related to anything else that I can discern. thanks in advace for any help

BTW it is an '89 L98

 

To me it sounds like an exhaust leak. Next time you hear it, while it's running put you nose near the valve covers and see if you smell exhaust (don't breathe too deeply) I have an exhaust leak on my Passenger manifold and it sounds like a lifter, but it has a strong exhaust smell on that side, you should only smell exhaust out your tail pipes.

 

hmm, I did put my ear really close to the valve covers to listen. I don't remember smelling any exhaust, but I wasn't looking for that either. I'll try smelling for that when I leave work today.

 

I second the exhaust leak, it probably isn't enough to cause a smell.

I'd say get some MSD SuperConductor wires.

 

to find out if it is a lifter or anything internally wrong take a metal pipe and put it on both valves covers. if the u can hear the noise then it is inside probably the lifters. otherwise i will bet u its an exaust leak.

 

Thanks for the help, I'll try the pipe thing when I get home, more likely tomorrow. If it is an exhaust leak, is the only fix a head gasket replacement. BTW, I forgot to mention before, the engine was rebuilt about 10k miles ago.

 

Exhaust leak has nothing to do with a head gasket. Perhaps the manifold gasket, but I would check around the y-pipe area.

 

^^thats what i meant, I typed before engaging the brain again

 

Stay away from the autozone plugwires. The wires from NAPA are made by belden and are a good oem replacement. I would buy a set of MSD wires from SUMMIT or JEGS.

Lonnie

 

the way I find exhaust leaks is not the best way but it works very well. I pour alittle tranny fluid down the intake while its running and wait for the smoke to come out....like I said not the best way but it works.....just my .02

 

I like my Taylor 8mm spiral pros and ac delco plugs

 

Do you notice a drop in power, if so it's probably exhaust. I would also suggest trying the oldschool method of placing a screwdriver on the valve cover and listening through it to identify if it is a particular internal problem.

 

I'll second that.

 

Thanks for all the replies. It was an exhaust leak, it was exactly where you said it would be Mark. I had my dad start it up while I was in the wheelwell and noticed some dirt blowing around on the floor so I felt around. Guess what? I could feel the air puffing out from the weld at the y-pipe. I suppose I'm going to have to get someone to weld that up for me. $$ Too bad I don't have the $$ to get headers .