another ticking/knocking noise

[cutlass1991]

It's a '91 3.1 engine with 65K on it. When it is in drive and the idle settles down at a stop light, it starts to make a random ticking noise. It is not a steady ticking. As soon as I accelerate, it goes away. It doesn't happen when the engine is cold, only when it is hot. when I shift into park or neutral, the ticking goes away, but i suspect that this may also be because the engine idles higher while in park and neutral. Any ideas?

[supreme_style21]

I had a Lumina that did the EXACT same thing. It was some floppy shield that would rattle around at those points, but for some reason, driving, neutral/park would stop the rattle (or drown it out, I dunno). At this point, doesn't sound like something to worry 'bout.

[jlells01]

I have this exact same issue on a '95 Lumina w/L82.

 

I was just getting ready to make a post, but came across this one on a search.

 

It makes the clicking/ticking sound at a stop, while in drive and warmed up. As the first post stated, put it in park at a light, and the noise stops.

 

Anyone have some thoughts on this?

 

Thanks.

[3pt1lumina]

Could be a sticky lifter? My friend's Ranger did this... he ran some motor cleaner thru it...fixed the problem.

[jlells01]

Could be a sticky lifter? My friend's Ranger did this... he ran some motor cleaner thru it...fixed the problem.

 

Nope...the engine is clean & in great shape.

 

Thanks though!

[SigEpCutlass]

Lifter tick when the L82 is normal according to a GM TSB. Despite running 0W-30 Synthetic Oil, I still get lifter tick when the cutty's cold on most winter mornings.

 

However, if the engine is warm/hot and the lifters are ticking, that could be a problem. Can you get a sound recording so we can hear the sound?

[jlells01]

Lifter tick when the L82 is normal according to a GM TSB. Despite running 0W-30 Synthetic Oil, I still get lifter tick when the cutty's cold on most winter mornings.

 

However, if the engine is warm/hot and the lifters are ticking, that could be a problem. Can you get a sound recording so we can hear the sound?

 

Thanks for the replies so far.

 

First off, I fully understand that the L82 isn't, nor has it ever been a "quiet" engine, regardless of what reasonable actions you take. Heck, upon initial cold start, mine even has a ticking sound, but it's not the lifters:

 

http://60degreev6.com/Articles/Pushrod/3x00_Maint/TSB/TSB04-3x00.html

 

The "piston pin" ticking sound is quite annoying, especially since it gives people the idea that the engine is in poor health, when in all actuality, the opposite is indeed true. The 3100 in my '95 Lumina is virtually, at least relatively speaking, spotless on the inside, attributed to the use of:

 

SuperTech Full Synthetic 10w-30

Marvel Mystery Oil in the Fuel

 

I do know what a lifter tick sounds like, and this isn't it...heck, once warmed up, and the initial "piston pin" tick goes away, my 3100 is as quiet as any out there, even with the 10cSt oil in the case. The 8 oz. per tank of MMO (and I was the biggest skeptic of fuel system additives in gasoline engines) probably has a bit to do with this...

[SigEpCutlass]

At what temperature does the noise start?

[1990lumina]

Just it matter if you have any accessories turned on or not??? I know my a/c compressor grinds and all types of noises come out of it when I 'm using the defrost, or a/c in summer.

 

My 3.1 has a random tick that comes from the timing chain area.....sometimes it is a constant tick tick tick tick tick....sometimes it is random....

 

Is it for sure a mechanical ticking even?? Like supreme style 21 said could be some type of cover rattling.