Idle is going to poo

[TDean]

The car:
1992 Corvette LT1

The problem:
Just within the last month or so my engine has developed a tick at idle. It started as a "tick tick tick tick" and has developed almost into a "chuga chuga chuga chuga". The sound is getting more and more noticeable with time but is not something that sounds like mechanical parts colliding or anything. The tick does seem to go along with the RPMs but does not get louder with increased throtle. Starting is getting very sluggish at times, at other times it cranks right over. I don't notice a problem with performance, but at idle as I hear the tick I can feel the "chuga chuga" in the whole car. The only change I can think of is that the engine got pretty hot a while back, hopefully that has nothing to do with it. The SES light comes on every now and then for a while, especially after cold starting then driving down the road.

Any help appreciated.

~TerryDean

[Pepe LePew]

the ticking could be a plug wire that's not snapped onto the distributor or plug correctly...it could even be grounding out to the nearest piece of metal. If one of the wires is rubbing its jacket off against something sharp under the hood, that can easily happen.

If the wires aren't new, I'd suggest replacing them

[02z28ls1]

The spark plug wires is a pretty good quess.I'd try this too- Look under the hood with the engine running in the dark and look for an arcing from the wires.See if you can get the code for the check engine lite also.

[RED98WS6]

Also, check your oil. Having a low oil level can make your lifters sound like their giving out. I hate to say this, but worse case scenario you could have a lifter thats gone south for the winter. But first, check your plug wires and oil and see if that doesn't do the trick.

[Sarge]

I'll take a frayed/shorted plug wire for $100 Bob.