ticking noise from engine '01 Ls v8

[vinnyd17]

hey guys new to the group and looking to buy an ls. found an '01 v8 with about every option. went and looked at it and started it up. it makes a ticking sound that will increase or decrease in intensity depending on engine rpms. it has 106k on the clock. it doesn't matter if it is cold or hot sounds about the same. it doesn't sound like a manifold leak, more like a sticky lifter or valve or something. any ideas? the price of the car is pretty cheap but i don't want to be putting a motor in this thing. does not sound like a lower end noise but something from the valve train. any help would be great.

thanks,

vance

 

[pektel]

I wouldn't buy a vehicle that was making any tye of weird noise. period.

 

[02LincLS]

If its ticking, its probably just an injector. If its more of a knock, walk away.

 

[vinnyd17]

its more of a ticking. not real loud, but loud enough to annoy. you can't hear it from inside the car but if you roll the window down you can. didn't know injectors could make that much noise.

 

[97stscaddy]

Stay Away From That Car!

 

[02LincLS]

Stay Away From That Car!

Perhaps you're right, it could be ready to grenade. But with the sound description, it sounds more like an injector rather than valves or something else. I just dont want him to walk away because its not dead silent after 100K of usage.

Vinny, if you get a chance to listen to the car again, try to feel each injector as it pulses and line it up with the noisey one. I think you could even unplug them one at a time and see if it stops. You usually hear more than one though.

Take it to a mechanic and ask him to look at it if you're not sure. Compare the noise to another car if possible. I just really think that if it were valve train, it would sound more like a "clunk" or "tap" rather than a click, and you'd hear it from inside the car with the windows up.

Just proceed with caution, its hard for us to give good advice without hearing it ourselves.

 

[vinnyd17]

thanks for the help guys. my mechanic checked it out today, who also happens to be my brother in law. he doesn't think its anything major. it needs 2 lower ball joints, an alignment and the air bag light is on. other than the tick noise that is about it. its $4500 what do you guys think. vance

 

[vinnyd17]

after reading more about the v8 engine in this forum and the problems (timing chains etc) i was wondering if the v6 engine is more reliable and a better choice? any idea of fuel mileage differences ?

thanks vance

 

[scjmc]

Fuel mileage is similar. My AC compressor ticks for some reason. Just in case you didnt try it with the AC off.