Ive been noticing this and did some research but mines oppisite than everyones. When I first start the car in the morning or when the car is cold it runs perfect. No ticks or unusual noises. After about 10-15 minutes of driving I can hear a ticking noise coming from the engine. (most stories ive read make the noise when the car is cold and then go away once its warm). Mine happens when Im at idle or idling in park. As soon i rev up or start driving it goes away. I did the screwdriver to my ear trick and it is most noticeable when I place it on the base of the intake manifold near the #8 cylinder. I pulled the valve cover off and inspected the rockers and the springs and they seem fine. Could it be the lifter or the valves? Maybe the piston is hitting something. What are some troubleshooting steps I can do to narrow down the problem?...Thanks.

 

Could be an injector?

 

Well I know that injectors tick, but this is a louder tick than an injector Plus it started only about a month and a half ago. When I did an oil change this past weekend the ticking went down very slightly but its still there and quite noticeable. I also tightened all the header bolts, and ypipe connections thinking it might be an exhaust leak but that didnt fix it erither.

 

Ok after much research im thinking of trying either Marvel Mystery Oil or CD-2. I'm kind of skeptical because my car starts the noise after its warm as opposed to most others where theres a ticking sound when is cold. What do u guys think?...is this snake oil?

 

Well things like Marvel Mystery Oil or CD-2 dont actually fix problems. People use to think things like that were mirical workers because it reduces the noise (much like adding a heavier weight oil) but does actually not help anything really. If it ticks when it warms up it might be the bottom end. Could be a problem in the valve train as well. First for the bottom end pull each spark plug wire one at a time (use insulated pliers) and if you pull a plug and the sound changes you have a problem in your bottom end on that cylinder. If no change is heard time to take a look into the valve train.

 

sounds like a bad lifter.

 

This is why Im a part of these forums. Thanks rolling thunder..I will try that. It will definitely help me narrow down the problem.

But yeah mpb74...Im hoping its a bad lifter and not the bottom end.

 

Ok, I havent driven the car in a few days, and I had some time this morning to take a closer look. I started it up this morning and all was well as usual when the engine is cold. I took a short trip to the store to let it warm up a bit.

I pulled off the driver side valve cover and started the motor. The springs all looked good, and none were broken. The pushrods all looked like their in tact and they were moving up and down with the rockers and spinning. Also, none of the rockers were loose or broken. I did the same for the passenger side and it looked the same. So can I assume that the lifters ticking is not the culprit?

I searched on youtube and this is the closest sound I can find. Its not nearly as loud but the sound is very simliar. Remember that this only happens when warm and I use 10w-30 motor oil. Is there anything I can do to get me by for a couple more months until I have money for a new motor?. Boy I hope is not a spun bearing causing the piston to hit the head like this guys. Thanks.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQkCJ9e4O18

 

Well did you ever test to see if it was a bottom end issue? If it is a bottom end issue if you keep driving it that way you will destroy it and make a rebuild more expencive. Even if it is valve train related driving it like that will genrally only make things worse and more expencive. However it your not looking to repair or rebuild your motor drive away.