Possible lifter noise? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Houston Ben · 11-09-2016, 08:34 PM

Hi all,
This has been happening for a while, but when I am cruising down the road and need to give it a little gas it sounds like I can hear the lifters tapping until it picks up speed. This only happens when giving a little gas to speed up a little while already at speed, any thoughts? I will try to get a sound clip sometime.

BR3W CITY · 11-09-2016, 10:08 PM

Usually lifter noise will happen at idle, and go away as you give a little gas. The lifters pump up as the oil pressure increases with RPM, and the noise goes away.

Does it change only on rpm, or does load affect it?

IMO you probably have a leak on one of the exhaust manifold/collector gaskets. Sometimes the "tapping" is just the pulse of escaping exhaust gases, and under certain velocities it leaks worse than others.

Look for an exhaust leak, and see if this is something that you can recreate in park or without load on the engine.

Houston Ben · 11-11-2016, 09:07 PM

Hi Brew,
Thanks for responding. Yes, this only happens under a load i.g. driving. If it is in park I do not hear the noise when I rev the engine. It kind of sounds like a manual does when you are in too high a gear and try to give it a little gas if you know what I mean. I will listen to it again this weekend.

BR3W CITY · 11-12-2016, 09:44 PM

Can you watch STFT? You can sometimes identify an exhaust leak based on fuel trims.

Honestly tho, it sounds like you have a certain exhaust pressure that leaks in a place or two. When its idling, its not enough back pressure/exhaust pressure to leak..and when you rev past that point, your creating enough outgoing pressure that its either forcing past the leak, or leaking constantly to the point where you don't notice it apart from your exhaust tone.

Houston Ben · 11-13-2016, 09:38 PM

Hi Brew,
Thanks for chiming in again, that makes sense. I will be redoing my exhaust soon anyway!

Thanks!

chebyshortbox65 · 11-24-2016, 04:46 PM

Be aware on 03 and up short blocks there is a common issue of failing camshaft bushings that can create tappet noise under load usually comes with low oil pressure or oil pressure that drops under load

11-09-2016, 08:34 PM	#1
Houston Ben Registered User Join Date: May 2013 Location: Houston Texas Posts: 713	Possible lifter noise? Hi all, This has been happening for a while, but when I am cruising down the road and need to give it a little gas it sounds like I can hear the lifters tapping until it picks up speed. This only happens when giving a little gas to speed up a little while already at speed, any thoughts? I will try to get a sound clip sometime. __________________ 1986 C10, 2011 5.3 w/6L80, 3.42 w/ Detroit TrutTrac Build thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=584532

11-09-2016, 10:08 PM	#2
BR3W CITY meowMEOWmeowMEOW Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: MKE WI Posts: 7,128	Re: Possible lifter noise? Usually lifter noise will happen at idle, and go away as you give a little gas. The lifters pump up as the oil pressure increases with RPM, and the noise goes away. Does it change only on rpm, or does load affect it? IMO you probably have a leak on one of the exhaust manifold/collector gaskets. Sometimes the "tapping" is just the pulse of escaping exhaust gases, and under certain velocities it leaks worse than others. Look for an exhaust leak, and see if this is something that you can recreate in park or without load on the engine. __________________ *'66 Short Step / SD Tuned / Big Cam LQ4 / Backhalfed /Built 4l80e / #REBUILDEVERYTHING* MY BUILD THE H8RDCPTR //\\ MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL REV J HD

11-11-2016, 09:07 PM	#3
Houston Ben Registered User Join Date: May 2013 Location: Houston Texas Posts: 713	Re: Possible lifter noise? Hi Brew, Thanks for responding. Yes, this only happens under a load i.g. driving. If it is in park I do not hear the noise when I rev the engine. It kind of sounds like a manual does when you are in too high a gear and try to give it a little gas if you know what I mean. I will listen to it again this weekend. __________________ 1986 C10, 2011 5.3 w/6L80, 3.42 w/ Detroit TrutTrac Build thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=584532

11-12-2016, 09:44 PM	#4
BR3W CITY meowMEOWmeowMEOW Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: MKE WI Posts: 7,128	Re: Possible lifter noise? Can you watch STFT? You can sometimes identify an exhaust leak based on fuel trims. Honestly tho, it sounds like you have a certain exhaust pressure that leaks in a place or two. When its idling, its not enough back pressure/exhaust pressure to leak..and when you rev past that point, your creating enough outgoing pressure that its either forcing past the leak, or leaking constantly to the point where you don't notice it apart from your exhaust tone. __________________ *'66 Short Step / SD Tuned / Big Cam LQ4 / Backhalfed /Built 4l80e / #REBUILDEVERYTHING* MY BUILD THE H8RDCPTR //\\ MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL REV J HD

11-13-2016, 09:38 PM	#5
Houston Ben Registered User Join Date: May 2013 Location: Houston Texas Posts: 713	Re: Possible lifter noise? Hi Brew, Thanks for chiming in again, that makes sense. I will be redoing my exhaust soon anyway! Thanks! __________________ 1986 C10, 2011 5.3 w/6L80, 3.42 w/ Detroit TrutTrac Build thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=584532

11-24-2016, 04:46 PM	#6
chebyshortbox65 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: yucca valley,ca Posts: 206	Re: Possible lifter noise? Be aware on 03 and up short blocks there is a common issue of failing camshaft bushings that can create tappet noise under load usually comes with low oil pressure or oil pressure that drops under load



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