Ticking noise from engine

falloutboy · 06-02-2010, 07:16 AM

Hi,
I have this prone ticking noise from my engine. And I read that changing the valve springs would cure this issue.

My question is. Does it really work? and WHY does it work?

Thanks
Julian

Vella's Alero · 06-02-2010, 08:29 AM

It sounds like it could be lifter tick. That is a normality in the 3400 engine and I just put a bottle of Lucas in with my oil and I haven't heard from it since and it's been almost a year now.

falloutboy · 06-02-2010, 08:42 AM

With Lucas, you mean what???

Vella's Alero · 06-02-2010, 08:49 AM

Lucas engine conditioner. It's an additive that you put in with the oil of the engine and it makes it run smoother and quieter.

http://www.lucasoil.com/products/dis...tid=7&loc=show

That is what I threw in with my oil and I didn't have the the problem since.

Edit to clarify - I put A LOT of it in a year ago, and then whenever I change my oil I put in a bit now.

falloutboy · 06-02-2010, 09:37 AM

sounds interesting.
But if its making the oil "slicker" isnt this going to affect the sealing function of O rings or rotary shaft seals like at the back of the crankshaft?

The 5W-30 is already a very thin oil for such a "oldstyle" engine. (I mean oldstyle in comparison to normal inline 4 engine here in Germany)

And if this where the reason for the ticking, why dont all LA1 engine tick? Or do they?

Vella's Alero · 06-02-2010, 10:24 AM

My alero is a 99 with the LA1 and I haven't had any problems with it.I have also used 5W30 ever since I got it.

It is worth a try. And as far as the ticking, It is a common issue with these engines to have lifter tick. It is a regular occurrence and this just helps quiet it down.

wrestlingandrunning · 06-02-2010, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by falloutboy

sounds interesting.
But if its making the oil "slicker" isnt this going to affect the sealing function of O rings or rotary shaft seals like at the back of the crankshaft?

The 5W-30 is already a very thin oil for such a "oldstyle" engine. (I mean oldstyle in comparison to normal inline 4 engine here in Germany)

And if this where the reason for the ticking, why dont all LA1 engine tick? Or do they?

Well i recently did the search on lifter ticks and you'll find a lot of 3400 on here have lifter ticks, not just yours. Though I thought I read somewhere using some type of ls valve springs fixes it. Though I haven't been able to find it again maybe someone can verify if I'm right or wrong.

Raziel · 06-02-2010, 02:21 PM

I've also heard that the ticking noise can also be injectors depending on how loud the ticking is. This is also normal operation if it's the injectors.

Raz

Nate's Alero · 06-02-2010, 02:27 PM

Mine clacks.... it's quite annoying. only when cold though. when it warms up it stops all the noise entierly, except a LITTLE injector pintle tick.

falloutboy · 06-02-2010, 02:32 PM

That exactly the thing I was talking about. I couldn't find it either

Lucalare · 06-02-2010, 02:35 PM

if it's when it's cold only, it's because the LA1 uses aluminum pistons, which shrink a pretty decent amount when they're cold, so the noise you here is just the increased space between the piston and the cylinder wall. nothing wrong with it, it's just a good idea not to drive it until that goes away.

falloutboy · 06-02-2010, 05:16 PM

no its not a piston slag, and it doesnt sound like its coming from the injectors. But to be honest I never heard injectors that sit so close to a large hollow area like in the upper plenum.

And it doesnt matter if the car's cold or hot or ever getting pretty hot (but thats probably another problem)

Is there perhaps a video somewhere with a before / after changing to (LS1) valve springs?

Raziel · 06-02-2010, 06:11 PM

Also take into mind that when the engine is cold, the balance shaft can make some noise before the engine warms up>

Raz

BlackJack · 06-02-2010, 11:32 PM

are you SURE that they're saying to change the valve springs and not the lifter springs?

hydraulic lifters are hollow with the ball socket that traps the oil inside, and it's the pumping action that keeps the lifters primed, but when the springs inside the lifters get weak, they don't pump/prime efficiently, which in turn gives more slop in the valve train. I'd think if it happens at idle, the lifter springs would be more suspect than the valve springs. Just my opinion though.

wrestlingandrunning · 06-03-2010, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackJack

are you SURE that they're saying to change the valve springs and not the lifter springs?

hydraulic lifters are hollow with the ball socket that traps the oil inside, and it's the pumping action that keeps the lifters primed, but when the springs inside the lifters get weak, they don't pump/prime efficiently, which in turn gives more slop in the valve train. I'd think if it happens at idle, the lifter springs would be more suspect than the valve springs. Just my opinion though.

Probably, I'm stilll learning so mine is getting pretty loud so I think new lifter springs should be done soon to my car but since I'm going down there I'm going to research if there is anything else I should replace or do.

falloutboy · 06-03-2010, 07:23 AM

How would you change a spring IN the lifter??
But yes, your question makes sense.
This is why I started this thread and asked again

So the ticking is always present. cold idle, warm idle. high idle, low idle. during driving, during hard acceleration.

Thats why I thought it could not be a problem with slag in pistons or a oil problem.

And thats when the valve spring thing came into my mind again. What I thought I read somewhere around here but couldnt find anything that really satisfied me.

So I thought that I just should ask again, and perhaps somebody else has an answer.

Julian

Redog · 06-03-2010, 06:03 PM

You can go to Summit Racing and find new rocker arms and lifters, this problem is very common on the LA1 motor thou. My car's been doing it for 100,000 miles / 9 years now.

Ben at WOTTech.com has a few nice sets of valve springs. He sells the LS6 springs and a few Comp cams sets. If you are doing new springs, get the LS6 springs, they will be fine on a stock cam.

Yes the American motors like 5w30 oil. Some cars now use 0w20. I used 5w30 in my Alero, the ex wife's Altima, and mom's 2.2 OHV Cavalier. The Delta was the olny car I used 10w30 in, and that was in both engines

falloutboy · 06-04-2010, 05:15 AM

So now the big question.

WHY do the LS6 Springs cure the ticking?

(damn engineers always wanna know everything in detail)

BlackJack · 06-04-2010, 07:10 AM

The lifter assembly is held together by a snap ring. Below the pushrod seat is the plunger and spring.

before we all get out of hand here. Lets also check the pushrods to see if one isn't slightly bent, or maybe a rocker bearing isn't bad. All of that can cause the infamous valve tick.

Just remember the pushrods are two different lengths. You can roll the cleaned pushrods across a sheet of glass to see if they're straight, so that's an easy check.

falloutboy · 06-04-2010, 08:40 AM

I checked 'em as I cured my LIM gasket leak and changed my head gaskets.

They seemed fine. And the ticking hasnt changed since then (about 2 years ago)