:: Solved:: Tick but Not Knock

**rperry435** · 09-16-2012

I tried using the search but didn't get far, figured Id just ask here. I've got a few questions and was hoping someone can shed some light.

-I recently purchased a CompG and theres a loud ticking coming from the back three cyl/heads area.. Im thinking Maybe a lifter isnt priming? The noise kinda fades with acceleration... the engine runs great but there's no power above 3k rpm. and the noise has is audibly louder if I try and push it. Its def not rod Knock and its not the supercharger as I removed the supercharger belt to make sure the noise wasnt from it.

-If I just choose to buy a replacement engine from say a junkyard correct me if I'm wrong buying a non supercharged 3800 would raise compression with my current intake and supercharged mounted correct? Can series 2 be substituted for series 3? (lower end with my current components)

-I bought a set of Cometic Head Gaskets for a Series 2 Motor I built a couple summers back, if I tear this motor down and it needs head gaskets are the Series 2 and 3 Head Gaskets any different? Thanks Again!!

**blueguy** · 09-16-2012

Gaskets will work.

Get a video of the tick and post it...could be a plethora of things.

And yes, buying an N/A bottom end will bump compression from 8.5 to 9.4...which you will NEED headers at that point...and a custom tune for it. Unless you can get those with no problem then just buy an L67/L32 bottom end and swap the top end over to it.

**matt5112** · 09-16-2012

sound like this?

http://www.grandprixforums.net/terri...deo-68433.html

**Fivefingerdeathpunch** · 09-16-2012

When you say no power above 3k, are you saying the car like bogs down and does not want to go any faster?

Maybe you have a plugged up exhaust and it cant breath.

**rperry435** · 09-16-2012

Ill go make a video real quick. and no above 3k rpm the noise becomes more serious and almost like something binds up and want stop break.

**rperry435** · 09-16-2012

http://db.tt/nLvrcnpK

theres my link to the vid

**Fivefingerdeathpunch** · 09-16-2012

It doesnt sound lower end, the sound is not the right tone.

I think you might have a broken spring/lifter.

**rperry435** · 09-16-2012

Yeah I was hoping for a lifter issue, i just literally bought the car the yesterday and really dont want to buy a new motor if its something i can fix, 130k miles isnt exactly alot for a 3800.

Guess Ill have to tear it down to do a look over.

**Scottydoggs** · 09-16-2012

im with 5 ^^^^^ pull the valve cover and see what up.

**rperry435** · 09-17-2012

Originally Posted by scottydoggs

im with 5 ^^^^^ pull the valve cover and see what up.

Well Im In the garage now. Got It torn down to the lIfters. All seem to operate properly WhIle crankIng I Checked for movement SIde to sIde. Up and down they check out. So guess my questIon Is whats the next step...?

Its def Not the low end. Any suggestIons would be apprecIated.

Also Im not sure why my phone Is makIng the letter I look lIke an L Please dIsreguard

**Scottydoggs** · 09-17-2012

you should have ran it with no valve covers before you went that far.

**rperry435** · 09-17-2012

Yeah I had thought about that but within 15min it was tore down Before I could say that... WIth the help of my brother who does alot of motor swaps It dIdnt take too long... just he Isnt sure on the sound now that It wasnt a lIfter FIgured Id throw It out there for suggestIons. I mIght start prIcIng a motor from a junk yard...

What all do I have to do to use a serIes 2 l67? Just swap over everythIng from the current motor? I hate to jump to conclusIonsbut It puts us down to 1 vehIcle untIl Its done. Me and my bro can swap a motor relatIvly quIck I just dont want to waste money If I can solve the Issue quIck.

Temped to pull off the supercharger or farther to see If maybe a cracked/chIpped pIston..

**850Fishing** · 09-17-2012

what mods were done to the car when you purchased it? Does it look like the previous owner ran it hard?

**rperry435** · 09-17-2012

there were no mods done to this car this car seems to be completely untouched. it has 139k doesn't appear to be any major abuse. They owned it from 41k miles. I just removed the spark plugs. What I found was a chipped off a piece of spark plug Missing on cylinder 6.. Not sure what to thInk about that

**rperry435** · 09-17-2012

I mean the tip. Anode or whatever it's called

**nukkinfuttz** · 09-17-2012

get a bottle of Mystery Oil. It will cure a lifter tick in about 1 day. I swear to god. I have used it on three separate vehicles to cure a lifter tick that drove me crazy, including one on my GTP! Just dump it in the oil, and after about 1 day you will not hear it anymore, promise.
::Marvel Mystery Oil::
you can pick it up at your local part store for like 10 bucks.
I went thru this big time search for a lifter tick on my Quad 4. I took each lifter apart, cleaned the check balls, soaked them, did a leak down test on the bench with each one. Put it all back together... still had a tick. I tried swapping new cam tower carriers... still had a tick. I fought this tick for years. Finally some one suggested i try Marvel. I put it in, and it freakin worked! the engine sounded perfect afterwards, i was stoaked. I put it in ANY engine that has ticking now and it always fixes me right up. What have you got to lose, give it a shot.

**nukkinfuttz** · 09-17-2012

as far as not going above 3k... I would say cat as well. I had a car that did that exact thing one time. Drive the car at night and "push it". after you get it good and hot, stop, get out and look under the car at the cat... if its glowing red, then its stopped up and you need a new one.

I wonder if the ticking noise is tripping out the knock sensor and cuasing it to pull buttloads of timing out?

**rperry435** · 09-18-2012

Originally Posted by nukkinfuttz

as far as not going above 3k... I would say cat as well. I had a car that did that exact thing one time. Drive the car at night and "push it". after you get it good and hot, stop, get out and look under the car at the cat... if its glowing red, then its stopped up and you need a new one.

I wonder if the ticking noise is tripping out the knock sensor and cuasing it to pull buttloads of timing out?

I'll try the Mystery Oil once I get it back together. Yeah I'm not sure about 3K issue it just lacks any power. I could have swore I heard some metal slapping when it was up there in rpm. I didn't do it again to find out. I'm a little concerned with that spark plug the way it looked.. I hope #6 wasn't hitting it because then there's slop in the bottom end I assume. Can I just unplug the knock sensors with no ill effect to check? The cat has never been changed so I'll have to check it out.. if I put it back together I'll drain the oil and look for any particles/flakes of metal

**rperry435** · 09-18-2012

I have a compression test gauge I am going to see if I also have proper pressure. I know I can search for it but does anybody know the correct pressure for each cylinder?