Ticking noise when cold

[xjjeepcjs]

Okay all, I am in the midst of tuning my motor...finally.

I have 10,000 miles on a mild build. New head with proper valve springs, roller rockers, and LS size valves, Stage 2 cam 266/272-14H Dur int 211 exh 217 Lift int. 471 Exh 484, Icon pistons with new rods and crank. It has been running really well since initial start-up and sync. One thing I have noticed is that it ticks when cold. When warm and running the tick is hard to even hear and I cannot place it using a stethoscope device.

Am i just hearing the valves opening and closing with snap since I am using the stronger valve springs? This thing runs like a raped ape. I did just add new plugs NGK BKR7E and gapped to .040.


Just want to hear some advice on if I have OCD or if I need to check things out

[6TIME]

Glad to hear it runs good! Does the ticking go away slowly as it warms, or is it obvious at first start then quiets after proper oil pressure is reached?

[xjjeepcjs]

Yeah, it is louder as oil pressure builds up. pressure at gauge from sending unit is almost instantaneous 60 psi, HVLP pump. As it warms up hard to hear. By the time I get to work or home, so slight you really have to listen. Is this just a noisy type motor. I am used to chevy small blocks and LS motors that seem quiet. This is my first non-gm build.

If I guesses by throttle response or driving I would say I am making to big of an issue, but since I am a perfectionist to a flaw, I just need that bit of info that says it might just be a noisy motor. Heck I could have a pulley bearing going out, but I cannot trace the noise.

[SilverXJ]

Do it sounds like a lot of little quick ticks, or one tick? Can you hear it inside the vehicle? Are you running roller rockers?

[xjjeepcjs]

I would say it is more like one tick, and it is louder from the front of the engine towards the exhaust side. I am running rollers, but I have the Hesco spacers for the water housing and valve cover. The stethoscope on the valve cover and on the passenger side of head only has nice normal valve train noise of operation. Headers and intake as well as down pipe have been checked. One bolt on down pipe to headers were loose about 7000 miles ago. Maybe I will recheck and torque all of those again. You just got my brain thinking. Maybe I have an exhaust leak that is louder when it is cold.

[IH 392]

Might take your stethoscope to the oil pan, I've had rod nuts just touch the pan, was able to loosen the bolts and pry it away from the crank and retighten them and it went away.

[Cheromaniac]

Okay all, I am in the midst of tuning my motor...finally.

I have 10,000 miles on a mild build. New head with proper valve springs, roller rockers, and LS size valves, Stage 2 cam 266/272-14H Dur int 211 exh 217 Lift int. 471 Exh 484, Icon pistons with new rods and crank. It has been running really well since initial start-up and sync. One thing I have noticed is that it ticks when cold. When warm and running the tick is hard to even hear and I cannot place it using a stethoscope device.

Am i just hearing the valves opening and closing with snap since I am using the stronger valve springs? This thing runs like a raped ape. I did just add new plugs NGK BKR7E and gapped to .040.


Just want to hear some advice on if I have OCD or if I need to check things out

Cold start ticking noises are normal in an engine with forged pistons so you may be hearing a degree of piston slap until the pistons expand in the bores during warm-up. Just take it easy during that period and don't run the engine hard.
Stiffer valve springs can also cause a ticking sound as they close the valves against the seats in a shorter time than stock springs. You'll get used to it.

[SilverXJ]

I would say it is more like one tick, and it is louder from the front of the engine towards the exhaust side.

That is a bit concerning that is only sounds like one item.

I am running rollers, but I have the Hesco spacers for the water housing and valve cover.

Rollers can be noisy

One bolt on down pipe to headers were loose about 7000 miles ago.

Could very well be an exhaust leak. If you can have someone hold something over the exhaust pipe while you listen in the engine bay that might help.

If you have a timing light you might be able to narrow it down to a cylinder. See if the tick coincides with the light flash on any of the cylinders.

Cold start ticking noises are normal in an engine with forged pistons so you may be hearing a degree of piston slap until the pistons expand in the bores during warm-up.

Piston slap isn't really a tick. More like a dull thud. To me it just makes the engine sound louder. Also, it shouldn't last more than 3 minutes or so.

[xjjeepcjs]

Guys Thank you for the replies! I found the issue and it has my heart feeling good since this is my daily driver... and with a year old child I am essentially broke.

Did my overdue oil change today and checked for metal as I normally do. Not a spec, but oil still says she is rich. So I went over the list of stuff you all laid out. As IH 392 said, check lower. I move my head down in front of the radiator on my way to check pan and it is louder. I check pan, which I knew could not be the issue since it is a custom pan we made to clearance the girdle, but always check. noise is less apparent. Move head back up in front of radiator and loud again???? I stick the stethoscope on the fan idler pulley... BAM noise matches! It is the F'ing bearing in the idler pulley. Makes more sense to me since earlier this week when I change spark plugs, I checked the belt and felt it was too tight. Loosened it up and since then I thought the noise was louder.

I really appreciate your responses. Sometimes we just need a bit of advice to get out of our own modes of thought and look somewhere else.

Thanks again guys. This is a great forum. Now laugh your asses off at my folly

[SilverXJ]

Nice! I love easy fixes. Mush have been a relief for you. Now, if all things were so easy.

[Cheromaniac]

Now laugh your asses off at my folly

Ahahahahahahahahahahahahaha