SteveSoCal

I don't care if it ticks, so long as it flees. (or, fleas)

CameronS

Hi everyone, another time traveler here. I'm a brand new member on the forum, but I've spent hours reading through Corvette threads. Thanks to all of you for the insightful posts.

I apologize for reviving an old thread, but I figured it's better than starting a new one.

I recently bought my 2006 Corvette Z06 used, with 29,000 miles. She's a beast, and I love her more than anything.

However, I think she has the same engine ticking sound many of you are describing, and it seems to be getting worse over time. It's almost a fluttering-type noise that increases with RPMs. It's most noticeable between the 1,500-2,000 RPM range, and I can hear it while driving with the windows closed. I've gone to 3 different Chevy dealers, and none could figure out the cause.

At the top of this post is a link to the video. Turn up the volume, and you should be able to hear the noise. I have 3 questions:

-Is this the same engine noise you all have been hearing?
-Were any of you able to finally diagnose the cause of this noise?
-Who's LS7 has failed after having this noise, and who's engine is still running?

Many thanks,

Cameron

Dirty Howie

You might want to try again. This time turn off the radio and open the hood :yes nod:
The video you have sounds completely normal.


DH

TSColeman

That sounds normal. I was on the perfect road to screw around with mine the other day. It would tick between 1800 and 2500 RPM, I would let off the gas and it would go away slowly (within a 50-100 RPM drop no matter where I was in the range), then if I got back on the gas slowly just to maintain speed, there would be no ticking. If I jumped back on hard it would tick, but not as bad as before. It seems to be worse when coming down off light load.

Either way, it screamed "injectors" to me. And it's all of them, not just a bad one or two. So I call it normal. I was wondering if some snake oil in the fuel might quiet it down, but I'm not a fan of not knowing what's in the stuff that's going BANG in my cylinders.

It's just the engineer in me.

CameronS

So just to confirm, the sound you hear in the video is the same type of ticking noise you are hearing with your car? With the way you describe your tick in relation to the RPMs, it sure seems the same.

I do not think it's the fuel injectors. Chevy dealer #3 performed an extensive cleaning/flushing of the fuel injectors to remove any potential carbon build up. It did nothing, and the ticking continues to get worse over time. Furthermore, fuel injector ticking is a distinctly different type of sound.

outhouse

They are noisy engines and that sewing machine sound is typical, mine sounds like lifter over 2000 more so then injector

User Omega

This is normal. You have no worries.

schecter7

Guys, Help me understand this 'sewing machine' noise as it's pretty disgusting. Once I throw the shifter in neutral while cruising, it's gone (engine's still revving, right?) Is mine a different issue? Something to do with the transmission instead? Lifter? What a PITA - Thanks!

Apocolipse

There is a harmonic in the engine that causes light tapping valvetrain noise from 1800rpm to 2400rpm -ish.

Windows up, radio off, easy to hear. The stiffer your springs the louder it is.

Too-Fast

Ah, sounds normal to me...

RoKrIx

My 2007 with 27K miles sounds exactly like this. I'm assuming it's normal.

GNasty1560

Most likely its your lifters have flattened your cam a bit...My noise is due from lifter going bad-flat spot now on cam. looks like the roller lifter design can wear onto cam lobes. I thought it was loose valve etc but it came from this. I should have replaced cam during the fix but was going to sell car...anyway LS2's seem to go thru top half of engine quickly. I found small bits of metal tucked high in intake from 100k mileage car. Using risilone made the particles come out and stick to lifter wheels. Then flattened cam lobe. I dont recommend using risilone lifter quiet oil but their new Nano Prime additive is great.
Seems to kick in after 100 miles or so.

Apocolipse

Usually caused by valve float / weak springs.