Fellas and Ladies,

I got my RS with 68K miles on it. It had sat, gotten dirty, kinda ugly and I have since cleaned it a lot and modded it a little. I changed out the oil when I got it and put in Valvoline Max Life. The engine did not and does not smoke on start up, nor does it leak oil. I do have some ticking/tapping noises when I get on the gas, but I'm not sure where they are coming from as of yet. Anyway, my question, should I continue to use the Max Life or should I use something else???

 

Ok, no takers here....

 

Mobil 1 Synthetic.

The ticking/tapping noises your talking about are the TBI injectors.

 

Oil is oil; highly debatable, but the "weight" matters a million times more than the "special blended" addatives. Run 5w30 or 10w30 and you can use the cheapest stuff, pending it's the properly rated API Service code (is SL the newest?). The only differences you will find from brand to brand are negligble in standard applications.

Synthetic oils aren't any more special. They're made in a lab- the only difference being that all of the oil molecules are uniform. Dyno oil from alaska might be different from texas, or the north atlantic, etc etc. Also, dyno oils may contain chains of hydrocarbons rather than individual molecules.

 

The ticking/tapping noises are for sure not the injectors, I know the noises they make and its not them. I'm thinking something in the valve springs, but who knows, I'm having it checked out on Thursday.

 

lifter(s) or rocker arm(s).

 

My try re-setting your valve lash.

 

And adjust your base timing properly. It's likely the previous owner advanced it too far but you didn't tell me at what RPM, MPH, coolant temp it's happening so I'm just giving you something to do

 

Yeah, I adjusted the timing when I got it, it was actually about 4-6* retarded. I have had it set at 2* advanced ever since and I run 89 Octane gas. I got a new knock sensor and oxygen sensor, actually I got new everything sensors! I don't know if the knock noise I'm hearing at idle might be part of the EGR or Air Pump system...its weird. The tapping/ticking I'm hearing when giving it gas happens whenever I'm giving it gas.

 

You might have replaced the knock sensor with a wrong version. Part stores are natorious for mixing up the 2 typs of knock sensors. Unplug the EST module that's on the drivers side firewall next too all the relays, then measure the resistance between ground and pin E which I believe is a white wire. Tell me the resistance you measured and I'll tell you if it's the correct sensor.
Also, have you tried driving around with less base timing, is the noise just as loud? Noise not coming from the intake or exhaust scares me... rod knock it isn't because that'll show up even on decel (no gas) so that's a good sign, also your oil pressure I'm assuming is checking out okay.

 

The knock sensor I'm sure is the right one because I looked it up on AC Delco's site and ordered it from a Chevy dealer. The part numbers matched up so I'm pretty positive it is the right one. The timing, I guess I can lower it and see what happens. My dad was in town today and I had him listen to the noise. It is most appearant at start up and idle, almost like a puffing noise. My dad said it sounded like it might be the air pump. I'm not sure, hopefully I'll get the car in the shop this coming week to have a mechanic take a look. My oil pressure is fine, however my sending unit just went and it only works when I'm at idle or under 55 mph, above that it pegs.

 

You have electrical problems. Hope your dad is good with wires.

 

Sounds like you're explaining an exhaust leak. They only show up when you're on the gas. Check the air pump and fittings and don't bother with the base timing until you've checked for those exhaust leaks.

 

I only use Mobil 1 5W30 and have driven over 600K. I am about to change it to an engine that has 100K on it. The old engine still works fine, just down on power.

 

I'm a fan of Mobile 1 as well, I ran it in my '03 Stratus R/T coupe since new and it was good stuff. I'm just afraid to switch the Camaro over to it after it has at least 76K on the original motor. I don't want to start any leaks or gunk things up. I saw they have Valvoline Max Life Synthetic now...maybe I'll give that a try.