obLu

As it's getting warmer, I've been rolling my window down more. Engine sounds like a warn out 70's small block, lots of lifter ticking and nasty sounds under load.

Everything seems fine, mileage is normal, power feels normal. But the damn thing sounds like it's on it's last legs from outside the car.

Dealer says "nothing wrong" ... probably because there's no codes for them to read.

This normal operation?

Justin517

how many miles? maybe switch to a higher viscosity oil in summer?

svxit

Yes, I know that "sound." Almost like you're trying to tow a house up Mt. Everest, and the engine sounds really strained. Mine has always sounded like that since day one. Probably nothing to worry about.

obLu

33k.

obLu

Yup, that's exactly the sound! Thanks for confirming.

NFRFALO

I live in the Phoenix area so mine operates almost always in the heat. The ticking noise is coming from the fuel injectors and is normal according to my dealer mechanic (who has always been a fair shooter)

gamma500

Same noise on my 94K 1998...I found a bottle of Bardhal "No Smoke" quieted things down noticeably.

Cheers

Kevin B

I was thinking they messed something up when I had my TB changed 1K ago..

Expat Ron

Am based out in Bahrain in the middle east and I have absolutely no problem with my S8 in the heat. Temperatures can exceed 50 degrees centegrade (122 Farenheit) at times here.

Ron

ttuling

If it's a mild diesel-like clatter heard briefly when stepping on the gas, mine has done that too. Using GM Top Engine cleaner helped, and also improved low rpm performance. It would be worse on hot days. I also think it's normal to an extent, since our engines seem to be set up to knock under less than perfect conditions, with the knock sensors there to keep it from getting too bad.

If it's a diesel-like clatter which persists under load, I wonder if a knock sensor isn't working.

As far as lifter noise, fuel injectors are responsible for the cacophony heard at idle with the hood open, like NFRFALO said. It sounds like half the lifters are noisy.

But I also wonder about lifter noise. Mine's got 5 ticks per second at 600 rpm (AC off) idle in the circumstances I'd expect lifters to make noise -- namely after the engine gets really hot and after restarting a warm engine. But I'm not sure it's really a lifter because it goes away momentarily when I briefly slow the idling engine by turning on the high beams or rear defroster. And even with the hood open, it's more a muffled tick than the distinct clacking of a bad lifter on a 1970s GM V8. Also I've heard it tick at 700 rpm (AC on) in drive then go away when I shift to neutral even though the idle remains 700 rpm. It was identical before and after changing to a rebuilt transmission, which included replacing the torque converter. I'm puzzled by that noise and wonder if it's like anything you're experiencing.

I'm currently using 5W-30 Mobil 1 in summer, but will try 0W-40 with the next oil change.

Tom