ls-1 engine knock

[damianheimsoth]

I've got a 2000 Formula Firebird with the ls-1 in it and there a knock coming from what sounds like the 5th or 7th cylinder and i'm stumped on what it is the car has 185,XXX miles on it and runs like a raped ape but the knocking/ticking worrys me when i get in it. Anybody have any ideas?

[SMWS6TA]

does it sound like this?

[pajeff02]

^^ Scott is our local guru when it comes to solving mysterious engine knocks... he has heard them all.

There's a difference between a tick and a knock. Ticks are generally the result of valve train or an exhaust leak. A knock is a sign of something much more serious like a rod bearing on its way out.

[SMWS6TA]

only because of bad luck.....

[pajeff02]

Agree. I am still pondering that original issue you experienced... so unusual.

[2002ssslp]

Post a sound video and let's see what you have going on.

[SMWS6TA]

Agree. I am still pondering that original issue you experienced... so unusual.

Do you mean the ls1 or the 6liter?

[pajeff02]

The one with the chunk of stuff floating around.

[SMWS6TA]

that was because I bounced off the rev limiter a couple of times while doing a burn out.

97-98's have a crappy oil pump that was fixed on 99<.

[damianheimsoth]

it sounds like the video but a little quieter ill post a vid later if i can the noise differs in the loudness day to day if that makes sense

[SMWS6TA]

If it's like in my video then the more you run it the louder it will become. It will also lead to a very expensive fix.

You can do a couple of things here.

Option 1 - get the car up on some stands, use a long screw driver or a piece of a cut down broom handle with the motor running place the screw driver/broom handle against the oil pan, side of the block if possible. Listen to see if you here the noise.

or

option 2 - Drain oil into a clean pan. Look for shinny speckles or even metal flakes. Next pull the oil filter and carefully cut it in half. Look in the filter for the same thing.


Each one if positive, confirms you have either a spun bearing or bad rod. Either one will require an engine pull. Better to do now then later, you might be able to save the crank however, keep running it for too long and you'll be looking for a new crank, rods, bearings. Push it too hard and then it will be a new motor as well.



This is what happens when it gets pushed too hard.



Here's where a chunk of the block blew internal. It was at the #4 cylinder.


No clue what this came from but it was bouncing around the block. the quarter was to show a size comparison




One of many bearings trashed.



This was #8 piston, #7 look the same.




All the LS1 damage was #7 & 8 pistons destroyed, Rod bearings - all except #1 & 2 spun, Main bearings 3-5 damaged. Crank - 3, 7, & 8 journals destroyed beyond repair.



Fun, fun times.....

[damianheimsoth]

After listening to it a bit and comparing videos i geuss its more of a tick but still doesn't sound im gonna post a video about 4:00