ok I have 1986 Trans Am with a the 305 TPI , i notice that my engine is making a ticking noise at idle, and when I start the car up after it has sat overnight, you here a smacking noise coming from the engine for about the first 3 or 4 mins but it always stops, (I hope its not a rod knock) but anyways, all these problems started after a oil change, my step father says that i might of put too thin of oil in my engine, so i going to simply change the oil again and see if that helps, my question is though what is the correct grade of oil to put in my 305 TPI, and do you guys think that could be whats causing this or do you think its something else..... What engine problems could cause the symptoms that I am having...... GUYS PLEASE HELP!!!!!

 

Is this a new to you car by chance? I know a lot of stories of people dumping tons of oil additives and heavy weight oils to quiet them down for sale. Anyways assuming its not a new car and its never done this befor here are my thoughts.

Oil level - make sure its full! Also make sure its not overfull!

Oil weight - I typically use 10w-30 although I hear it is also recommended to use 5w-30 depending on climate.

Oil Filter - make sure you got a correct filter that has the anti drain back valve.

Sludge - The new oil may have dislodged some sludge that is now giving you fits.


What to do? Figure out where the sound is coming from. 2 areas where noises like that originate from the bottom end and the valve train. To diagnose bottom end issues while the cars running disconnect each spark plug wire one by one while the cars running with a set of WELL INSULATED pliers (or else you will get zapped not that it would kill you as long as you dont have a pace maker or issues like that but it will hurt! lol). If you remove one spark plug and the sound significantly changes you have a problem in the bottom end of that cylinder. If you find nothing its probably in your valve train which would require the removal of your valve covers to inspect the operation of your valve train. Best of luck.

 

First of all always use the thickest oil you can, 5w-30 was meant to be used only when the engine was new with only a few thousands mile on it. I also had ticking problrm at idle and found it was the ditributor ( ignition box ) that was the problem. It sounded like the sound was coming from the side of the engine near the heads. Simply make sure that all the wires to the sparkplugs are secure and the ones in the distributor are secure. if that isnt the problem then please post again and ill see what else I can think of

 

i have a similar sound with my car, i asked my mechanic about it and he said it is the carb getting fuel... im completely stupid when it comes to cars so i trusted him that thats what it was... so maybe thats it

 

Yea our motors should not tick ever. I dont see why a carb should make any noise at all except for a whistle lol. I have heard of worn out mechanical fuel pumps wearing out ant ticking but still that means something needs to be repaired. Really I wouldn't ignore it its only going to get worse and more expensive.

 

mine is ticking now but to me it just sounds like the fuel injectors ticking away, as the sound increases with acceleration... it can only be heard on idle

 

I have the same problem? It was the distributer?? I had people tell me its the bottom end, the valves, an exhaust leak at the heads, and and exhaust leak at the cat... What could it be???? Thanks for the help

 

Could very well be a lifter ticking which is NOT uncommon at all. First thing I'd do is run a can of quality engine flush thru it. I've had good results with Amsoil brand removing 'ticking' and 'tapping' sounds caused by oil sludge as Rolling Thunder mentioned above. No wrenching required other then another oil change.

 

Ok being that this post is a year old and it's still doing the same thing I feel safe to say its not a engine knock! I might try the engine flush this weekend just to see what happens!!

 

loose rocker arms can also make the engine 'tick" pull a valve cover and see how much free play there is in the rocker arms.....they can get alittle loose when you get some miles on them...turn them down with a 5/8" socket just till the free play is out of them...