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Engine ticking?

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2.2K views 18 replies 11 participants last post by  Olle  
D
#1 ·
I believe my 100k mile 327 2bbl has developed a slight ticking noise. Can't really find the exact location. My ears are not tuned for engine diagnostics so I am not really sure what it could be.

I've also noticed oil consumption with no smoking, no leaking on the pavement. Could be 2 different things here. :confused:
 
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#6 ·
Once we heard a sound like a bad lifter on dad's '74 Chevy 350. It turned out to be a leaky distribution tube for the A.I.R. system (smog pump). I'm just throwing this out there for you; I'll venture to say that you probably don't even have a smog pump anyway.
 
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#7 ·
I agree with the rockers, I had that problem on my small block, I kept hearing it in different places, hard to trace down, ending up bending a jammed pushrod, didnt do any damage though other than replacing it, cheap.... Check all the easy stuff first, rockers, pushrods?
 
J
#10 ·
Do the old "broomstick" trick.

Take an old wood broomstick, and saw off about 18" of it. Press the rounded end (!) into your ear and touch the other end (carefully) to the running engine.

The sound will travel up the stick and into your ear. You will be able to localize the ticking.

You'll look like a doofus while you're doing it, but it WORKS! ;)
 
D
#12 ·
I had an exhaust shop listen to the ticking and he seems to think its a lifter. What actually does this mean as far as the overall condition of the engine? Is it something that need imediate attention?

I actually did add some Marvel Mystery Oil into the crankcase but this did not help. It actually may be louder now. I am thinking the MMO may have loosened up some grit now causing the increased amount of noise. I plan on changing the oil to see if that helps tonight. Any input or tips would be greatly appreciated.
 
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T
#15 ·
Originally posted by John D:
Do the old "broomstick" trick.

Take an old wood broomstick, and saw off about 18" of it. Press the rounded end (!) into your ear and touch the other end (carefully) to the running engine.

The sound will travel up the stick and into your ear. You will be able to localize the ticking.

You'll look like a doofus while you're doing it, but it WORKS! ;)
Click to expand...
Or you could go to your local Autozone or similar store and pick up one of their mechanics stethescopes for $5 out of their bargain bins. Then you'll look like a doctor working on a patient rather than the previously mentioned 'doofus'.
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O
#16 ·
I had a lifter that would stick now and then in my -95 Dodge Ram. An oil change always cured it. As a matter of fact, it was almost like it was announcing that it was time for an oil change when that lifter started ticking, it pretty much always happened at the correct service intervals
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One comment about the broom handle trick: Don't press the butt end against the engine, just let it touch the engine and hold it at an angle. If the engine stumbles just a little bit, you can have that broom stick shoved quite forcefully into your ear. Don't ask me how I know... :D
 
D
#17 ·
I found the prob. One of my plugs was loose. Tightened it back down and ticking GONE.

Could I have damaged the engine driving it like this? Probably drove about 200 miles like this. Also, how could this plug have come loose? Thanks again!
 
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