Ticking from engine

Over the past couple of months, I have noticed a ticking from somewhere in the engine bay. At first it was barely noticable and I thought it was just something that was always there and I never noticed before. However it has gotten considerably louder and is driving me insane! It cannot be heard at idle, but when putting it under a load, such as getting on the highway it is just as loud as my exhaust (which since it comes out before rear tire, is pretty damn loud :naughty: ).

My truck is a 2003 with a 4.8, with a Volant intake, Nelson tune, Pacesetter longtubes with no cats, and a Flowmaster muffler.

So far, I've changed the spark plugs: little change.
Checked for an exhaust leak at the shop that I always use: found nothing.
Started using 91 octane: also no change.

I'm wanting to take it to the drags in September for a buddy's bachelor party, but if this is something serious I sure dont wanna ruin anything.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Over the past couple of months, I have noticed a ticking from somewhere in the engine bay. At first it was barely noticable and I thought it was just something that was always there and I never noticed before. However it has gotten considerably louder and is driving me insane! It cannot be heard at idle, but when putting it under a load, such as getting on the highway it is just as loud as my exhaust (which since it comes out before rear tire, is pretty damn loud :naughty: ).

My truck is a 2003 with a 4.8, with a Volant intake, Nelson tune, Pacesetter longtubes with no cats, and a Flowmaster muffler.

So far, I've changed the spark plugs: little change.
Checked for an exhaust leak at the shop that I always use: found nothing.
Started using 91 octane: also no change.

I'm wanting to take it to the drags in September for a buddy's bachelor party, but if this is something serious I sure dont wanna ruin anything.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

exactly what oil and oil filter are you using....also what is the oil pressure...


this could be serious...but since you have modified the vehicle it may be hard to determine...

1st thing that comes to mind is either sticky lifters or worn out rockers. i think silvie has rollers on rocker arms. possibly worn out cam lobes. or all of the above. been a lot of complaints on cheap rollers they put on rockers.

anyways, yes, check oil pressure.
i, personally, would pour a can of seafoam into the cranckcase and drive on it for some time, maybe 500 - 1000 miles. it is absolutely safe to do. maybe it'll un-stick lifters.

drag race???????????????????????????????:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

a injecter can make a ticking noise also..

I am currently using a Mobil 1 filter and 5w30 oil. The pressure is usually within normal parameters, but occassionally the dash will read to check oil level. I have also used a product for unsticking the lifters, I can't remember the name, but it didnt seem to help either.

And as far as the laughing at the drags.... I can beat most vehicles in my town, even if it is a little one lol.

If it is under load only, I'd stay with a possible exhaust leak.

I am currently using a Mobil 1 filter and 5w30 oil. The pressure is usually within normal parameters, but occassionally the dash will read to check oil level. I have also used a product for unsticking the lifters, I can't remember the name, but it didnt seem to help either.

And as far as the laughing at the drags.... I can beat most vehicles in my town, even if it is a little one lol.


on oil pressure what do you consider normal ?


what temperature does the engine run at ???

I consider normal to be the center of the gauge, but I could be wrong. Another thing I have noticed is that the ticking becomes really noticable when I am nearing 2000 rpm and gets louder as rpms get higher. And temperature is just under 210.

I would also like to thank you guys for the advice so far.

I consider normal to be the center of the gauge, but I could be wrong. Another thing I have noticed is that the ticking becomes really noticable when I am nearing 2000 rpm and gets louder as rpms get higher. And temperature is just under 210.

I would also like to thank you guys for the advice so far.

the engine temp is toooo high,,,,,195 deg f.....my silverado never operated above 195.....you should replace the thermostat and look for other reasons why this is occuring when you replace this part....


hopefully you did not use another coolant type in your engine as dexcool is required ...


since you appear to use this vehicle to drag race etc... the likely hood of the head gasket is a possiblity....so with the radiator cap off get engine to operating temp and look for bubbles....

I checked this morning and it seems to be a line or two under 210.... So I guess around 200? And I have only used Dexcool.

Where would I be looking for bubbles at?

1. was not laughing at you racing. it was "drag race with ticking noise? you ought to be kidding me".
2. if you race, you put so much strain on the engine, that many things go wrong. just bolting on stuff does not change rockers, pushrods, rollers, tierods, pistons, etc, etc, etc. i am afraid now you are harvesting what you sawed. once again, stamped rollers are not very longevious!! that's why folks that race have pretty much everything overhauled to match the new bill, not just this or that.
3. oil pressure and temp are good. oil pressure should oscillate from just left to the middline to all the way to the mid-right half of the gauge position. it is ok for temp to go up some under strain, and then go down.
4. seafoam is not your "some stuff to unstick lifters". seafoam is DA SEAFOAM. it is one and only. here's interesting set of practical uses for it:
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/newbie-forum/222686-seafoam-works-merged.html that's coming from the them crazy eclipse boys, thus counts.

I checked this morning and it seems to be a line or two under 210.... So I guess around 200? And I have only used Dexcool.

Where would I be looking for bubbles at?

at the coolant tank where the cap is if this is bubbling then it is most likely the head gasket with the cap off at operating temp... and as i stated if it goes over 195 deg. f. you have to find out why...


you'll find out one way or another.....

Well I caved in, and took it to the dealership today. When they called me and told me what was wrong, it suddenly made sense.

The tech said that a "plumbing gasket" that basically got the fuel into the motor was sucking in air also, causing the engine to lean, and potentially the tick. Since it is more noticable with more go pedal being applied, this seems to be the cause. So hopefully when I get it tomorrow (and am $600 lighter...) everything will be dandy, and I'll get to bump up my tune to the 91 octane.

Also, sorry bout confusing the Seafoam for something else. I didnt mean to make it seem like I blew off that suggestion, just meant I got what the local old guy who knows almost everything at the auto parts store suggested.

And you were completely right about the dragging with the tick. If it stops I'm considering it, but if its still there then there's no way! Not worth maybe blowing a motor for 14-15 secs of fame.

Again, thank you guys for the advice. I knew there was a reason I used this site :iceslolan

Well I caved in, and took it to the dealership today. When they called me and told me what was wrong, it suddenly made sense.

The tech said that a "plumbing gasket" that basically got the fuel into the motor was sucking in air also, causing the engine to lean, and potentially the tick. Since it is more noticable with more go pedal being applied, this seems to be the cause. So hopefully when I get it tomorrow (and am $600 lighter...) everything will be dandy, and I'll get to bump up my tune to the 91 octane.

Also, sorry bout confusing the Seafoam for something else. I didnt mean to make it seem like I blew off that suggestion, just meant I got what the local old guy who knows almost everything at the auto parts store suggested.

And you were completely right about the dragging with the tick. If it stops I'm considering it, but if its still there then there's no way! Not worth maybe blowing a motor for 14-15 secs of fame.

Again, thank you guys for the advice. I knew there was a reason I used this site :iceslolan

for 600.oo I would ask for a more detailed explaination of where this vacuum leak was repaired no such thing as a plumbing gasket...


also the engine should run at a cooler temp as fuel helps cool the engine..in the combustion chambers..

Well, just got my truck back from the dealership, and they replaced an intake gasket that was sucking in air, cleaned the throttle body and injectors. Bad news is the noise is still there , even though they said they couldnt hear anything when they test drove it, and "romped it pretty good" (in their words). When I went back to say the noise was still there, the main guy that helped me acted like he never heard the noise to begin with. :shakehead

So tomorrow morning I'm taking it to my muffler guy (who I trust a hellofa lot more...) and leaving it with him for a day, because right now it still seems like an exhaust manifold leak.... Wish me luck.

Well, just got my truck back from the dealership, and they replaced an intake gasket that was sucking in air, cleaned the throttle body and injectors. Bad news is the noise is still there , even though they said they couldnt hear anything when they test drove it, and "romped it pretty good" (in their words). When I went back to say the noise was still there, the main guy that helped me acted like he never heard the noise to begin with. :shakehead

So tomorrow morning I'm taking it to my muffler guy (who I trust a hellofa lot more...) and leaving it with him for a day, because right now it still seems like an exhaust manifold leak.... Wish me luck.


Thanks for the detailed report....so in other words the DEALERship repair shop stole $600.oo from you...


Do you think it could be a muffler baffle????

If the dealership diagnosed your problem and performed ineffective repairs, you have recourse either thru the dlrship mgmnt. or you credit card company or the small claims court system, start with dealership mgmnt, demand that they now fix your truck specifically for what you brought it in for or ask for a refund.

yes that's they never fiked so you don't pay. you might have to pay estemant. shops like that makes us macanics looks bad and there afraid to take it to us good or desent ones..good luck..

Well I'm hoping my muffler guy, who installed the headers, can figure out whats wrong and I think I'm just going to cut my losses. The money I pair for the repairs with was from the casino, so it was basically free. Plus the stealership is gonna get to deal with momma next, since her speedo is saying shes doing 70 in the garage. I feel sorry for whichever poor s.o.b. is gonna help her cause she hates going there, and almost goes out of her way to cause trouble... :evillol:

Wish me luck, I think I'm going to need it....