I hear this noise in engine. Is it bad? Sounds bad to me!

**Eganslp** · 02-27-2011, 09:02 PM

my 2001 ls1 SS has this constant noise that sounds like a bad lifter(s), piston slap, or something idk. Which I know these motors are usually pretty noisy with that GM "ticking" and all, but this sound is excessive. you can really hear it while in the car or just sitting there at idle also getting on it. does not go away when its warm. it just stays the same all tue time.
So can someone help me out? B/c i have a couple g's in parts and don't wanna put it in of there's a good chase this thing may go. btw theres 55k on the motor&car.
I always take care of it. and honestly rarely ever beat on it. my getting on it would be launching at 1,500 rpm's and taking it to 4,500rpm's-5000rpm's for 2 to 3 gears that's it. it been at the track once for three passes. I think I missed shift like 10x's total. I know thats pretty high but that why theres a rev limiter! right!?
well here is the video. Check out this on YouTube:

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**98maro** · 02-27-2011, 09:08 PM

My car do the same noise when is cold. After few seconds Is gone.
My Z used to make the same noise. Both ls1.
I could be wrong but if only does it when is cold. Is normal.

It does it all the time or only when is cold?

**98maro** · 02-27-2011, 09:10 PM

Did you check the oil? What weight and brand of oil you use?

**Eganslp** · 02-27-2011, 09:29 PM

Happens all the time when I'm driving, racing, or idling. Also the oil is 10w-30 Pennzoil synthetic platinum w/ mobil1 filter. Filled 5.5quarts as always. i have to add a quart between oil changes tho, but I heard that's norm until I do the PCV mod. The cars always at 39-40psi until I race it then it jumps to 60-70psi (I'm going off stock cluster gauge)

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**Eganslp** · 02-27-2011, 09:36 PM

also in that clip it has been warm. I had it's warming up the whole time while i was shoveling. its just that when I went back to turn her off, I sat there think wow that "ticking/knocking" sound is annoying. & why the F*^^ is it so loud. So I decided to take a vid & ask you guys.

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**98maro** · 02-27-2011, 10:47 PM

it is kinda loud mine does it but is gone after a while..

i could be wrong but the oil you are using could be a little heavy for a 55k miles motor.

i had a charger with a hemi i used that oild the car had 35k miles on it,, it was making the same sound, i changed oil the noise was gone..

it barely started doing that or you barely noticed it?

**Sarge** · 03-01-2011, 03:20 AM

Usually this issue is the oil filter and not the oil. You may have a defective anti drain back valve. It happens. I would change oil filters. Amsoil/FramXG or another M1.

**Black Dragon** · 03-01-2011, 02:19 PM

I also have a loud tapping noise. It sounds like someone is hitting the side of the engine with a hammer. The tapping speed follows along with the engine speed. The faster the engine is turning, the faster the tapping sound.

It is not there at start up. As the engine starts to warm up, the sound starts and gets louder. Once the car is fully warmed up, the sound goes away until I sit at idle for a little bit (like waiting in a fast food drive through). However, since my car is an AT4, if I put the car in neutral, the sound will slowly go away. When I put it back in Drive, the sound comes back. I do notice that the oil pressure drops a bit when in Drive.

I am using Royal Purple 5W-30W with the Royal Purple filter. I am not sure if the noise coincided with me starting to use the Royal Purple filter.

I added some Rislone to the engine and that seemed to help only for about a week.

**TLS_Addict** · 03-01-2011, 04:07 PM

I have heard quite a few "stock" ls1 engines and many of them have had ticking on start up, even my 2004 GTO did but my 2000 Z28 is the most quiet stock LS1 engine I have ever heard.

Perhaps its the snow on the car, she is telling you to move to a warmer climate.

Doesnt sound like a tapping lifter nor exhaust, like said, could be the filter. Have only heard stories of that.

**stew215** · 03-02-2011, 04:33 PM

This is what my car sounded like after my first oil change. In the video it was at 88,000 miles..... since then i have changed oil to mobil 1 and the sound is still there just not as loud..... the car now has 95,000 on it and runs great... I wouldn't worry to much about it. LS1 engines make a lot of noise.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Co_U9kwXzc0&feature=player_embedded[/ame]

**Eganslp** · 03-03-2011, 12:07 AM

so do you guys think it be safe to throw my new parts on? (h/c/i)

@Sarge- that valve your talking about is that in the heads? will that go away when the heads, pushrods, & lifters are swapped out.

**Black Dragon** · 03-20-2011, 05:21 PM

I think I have solved this (for my engine at least).

It seemed that the noise would start up as the engine warmed up. And then it would go away.

It seems like there was probably a constriction in part of the oil flow pathway and as the viscosity of the oil went up, it was harder to push the oil through.

I had my engine flushed along with an oil change and the tapping sound has gone away. If it comes back in the next few weeks I will post up another reply.

**02ssmaro** · 03-20-2011, 09:42 PM

It's good you figured it out. My engine is completely stock and it has knocked hard since I owned it. Gets quieter when warmed up but is still noticeable. I use a thin oil 5w-30 and it still is a noisy LS1. Wouldn't worry about it too much.

**sutie** · 03-22-2011, 02:49 PM

might sound dumb, but i recently had the same tick, i found out one of my spark plugs came a little loose, started backing itself out. i tightned the plug back up, and the noise went away completely. if you feel any vibration in any of your plug wires, thats what it is.

**redbird555** · 03-22-2011, 03:19 PM

Honestly that dull knocking sound sounds like piston slap to me which is common on all ls1's. The pistons from the factory were a little too small and would rock back and forth iin the bore. All the ls1's ive been in mine included have made this noise atleast until warm and sometimes it doesnt go away fully. However its not something to be concerned about the ngies till run fine and hard go ahead with your mods as planned

**INMY01TA** · 03-27-2011, 05:11 AM

Originally Posted by Eganslp

so do you guys think it be safe to throw my new parts on? (h/c/i)

@Sarge- that valve your talking about is that in the heads? will that go away when the heads, pushrods, & lifters are swapped out.

No he means the anti drain back valve in the oil filter

**Eganslp** · 03-29-2011, 01:16 AM

Originally Posted by INMY01TA

No he means the anti drain back valve in the oil filter

ok thanks, INMY01Ta!!!

**Black Dragon** · 10-03-2011, 02:28 PM

Here is an update on my very loud tapping (clacking type sound) issue.

I have added things like Rislone or Marvel Mytery Oil to my oil and that seems to make the sound go away. But after a couple of weeks, the sound comes back.

So I finally decide to take it down to the Chevy dealer to have them look at it.
They tell me it is a lower engine knock and I need to replace my engine. Not too happy about that since they tell me it will cost about $8,100 to swap out my engine.

Any ideas on what else it might be, or something else I should try first before swapping out the engine?

I am in South Orange County California if any of you know a good mechanic in the area I can take it to to be checked out.

Thanks,
Jim

**INMY01TA** · 10-03-2011, 02:40 PM

Originally Posted by redbird555

Honestly that dull knocking sound sounds like piston slap to me which is common on all ls1's. The pistons from the factory were a little too small and would rock back and forth iin the bore. All the ls1's ive been in mine included have made this noise atleast until warm and sometimes it doesnt go away fully. However its not something to be concerned about the ngies till run fine and hard go ahead with your mods as planned

Originally Posted by 02ssmaro

It's good you figured it out. My engine is completely stock and it has knocked hard since I owned it. Gets quieter when warmed up but is still noticeable. I use a thin oil 5w-30 and it still is a noisy LS1. Wouldn't worry about it too much.

Ditto both of the above. My engine used to knock/tick also. Still sounds like a sewing machine. If your car runs good I wouldn't worry about it. LS1s are noisy engines. Go ahead and spend $8,000 if you like, your next one may sound the same.

**Black Dragon** · 10-03-2011, 03:54 PM

This is not the normal sewing machine sound that comes with the LS1's. I know what that is.

This sounds like someone hitting the engine with a hammer.