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Valve taps when cold

Rat Race

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 18, 2005
Messages
70
Location
North Jersey
Dont drive my 05 all that much, but I noticed when I start it lately that Im hearing valve taps . They go away within a few minutes, and oil pressure gage reads fine.

I changed oil about 2000 miles ago, and this never happened during the summer, but it hasn't been all that cold around here this winter. Oil level is fine.

Car usually sits all week start using it again Friday nites and weekend driving if its nice.

Is this normal? 13,000 miles on car.
 
I am noticing the same . I have 19K on my 05 and like you it started the same way.

Hal
 
Does the C6 have piston slap like the C5? If so, this is not valve train noise, even though it sounds like it. If it is piston slap like the C5, c4c5 specialist says that it is not a durability issue. It is just a minor annoyance that goes away when the engine warms up.
 
Definatly not a piston slap, just lots of ticking for about 2 minutes. Just never noticed it when i got the car.

Will change oil and see what happens

Just thought of something, car did engage rev limiter once - couldnt be helped was winding up first and didnt look at RPMs, floored it, and heard a gurgle, and looked at tach took foot off immeadiatley and shifted- could this have had anything to do with it?
 
Definatly not a piston slap, just lots of ticking for about 2 minutes. Just never noticed it when i got the car.

Will change oil and see what happens


Just thought of something, car did engage rev limiter once - couldnt be helped was winding up first and didnt look at RPMs, floored it, and heard a gurgle, and looked at tach took foot off immeadiatley and shifted- could this have had anything to do with it?


Rat Race....

You did not hurt anything...rev limiter/computer cuts off-retards several things like fuel pressure, timing and so on...the 'gurgle' sound you mention is just the computer 'saving' your engine from over rev-ing...

As far as the ticking sound you are hearing, this is audible on all engines that sit for a period of time...the oil almost completely drains back to the pan and when it is started, you will hear 'lifter' clicking/ticking for a moment until oil is pumped back up to the top of the motor....I am quite sure it does not last as long as you stated...'two minutes or so'...probably only a few seconds that seems like a minute or two...

If your oil does not require changing based on mileage and you are using 'Mobil 1', you will still hear it after a change.

Don't waste your time or money. This is typical for an engine that sits for a while.

Actually, 'Mobil 1' is one of the 100% synthetic oils that 'coats' the valve train, cylinders and the rest of the engine interior so that when the vehicle sits for a period of time and you 'cold' start it, the moving parts are still coated to avoid dry start damage...:upthumbs

Don't worry, you have a bullet proof motor and I doubt you will own it long enough to ever hurt it, as long as the stock setting are not changed!!
Hammer down and drive the 'hell' out of it .... :Steer
 
Ticking

I thought the ticking was the speedo cable. No kidding.:)
 
Hi there,
Depends on so many things, that accurate diagnosis is key.
First thing, simple, is that you add a bottle of Techron to the gas tank when you fill up.
If the noise decreases, you know its simply carbon build up.
If it doesnt, then I would schedule it in with your local dealership, so that they may correctly diagnose it.
Carbon tick is common on high mileage c5, but NOT so far on C6.
That is why it needs to be checked if the simple thing doesnt change it.
Allthebest, :bang
 
Thanks for all the info. No stranger to motors, but just thought it a bit odd that this high tech (push rods) beast would tappity tap tap, but Stinger I believe your right the car does sit alot...

C4C5 how many miles do these motors need to have before exhibiting the tick ? Mine has just over 15,000

Too cold to change oil now, car has only been drivin maybe once in the last month, my bad, but I dont want it all salty.
 
Definatly not a piston slap, just lots of ticking for about 2 minutes. Just never noticed it when i got the car.

Will change oil and see what happens

Just thought of something, car did engage rev limiter once - couldnt be helped was winding up first and didnt look at RPMs, floored it, and heard a gurgle, and looked at tach took foot off immeadiatley and shifted- could this have had anything to do with it?
My 2006 sometimes sounds the same way on start-up. Then it seems to go away. I don't worry about it
BTW, I reached the rev limiter countless times in my 7,000 miles.
 
Just remember, the more aggressively you drive, the higher the internal combustion chamber temperature and the more likely you are to BURN the excess carbon.
Allthebest, :bash
 
I had a 2000 1500HD pickup with the 6.0L engine that developed a similar noise early in its life. I named it "cold start knock". Very distinct tapping noise that would go away when the engine had run a few minutes. Never got it resolved and finally traded the truck with 60k miles to get rid of it. At one point I heard a rumor about kevlar piston pins but that did not seem plausible. - Bob
 
Google"6.0 liter engine noise" and there are a lot of comments about this problem with the GM 6.0L. To be fair I don't know for sure if the 6.0L truck engine is the same as the corvette engine. I would like to hear comments from someone more kowledgable than me. - Bob
 
HOLD ON!!!! Just as was mentioned.
6.0 in the trucks are Generation 3 small block
6.0 in the Corvette is Generation 4 small block and should not be confused.
Designs in pistons, connecting rods and other specifications are different.
Allthebest, :bash
 
Not trying to be a smart a-- but what would be unique about the later generation 6.0L engines that would make then immune to the mechanical gremlins that have bugged engines since they were invented by man? Tt just seems to me that even Gen. 4 motors could have problems with piston slap,etc. due to manufacturing problems. - Bob
 
2005 corvette 24,000 miles

Lound ticking started at 23,800 on the pass side far front injecter????? or valve. Which one is it.... Getting tired of the TICK tick TICK tick tick.... THIS CANT BE NORMAL.... Does not go away when hot.....
 
have not had it diagnosed yet.... Have extended warranty on it.... Would hope it would be covered under some mechanical failier of a part??????????
 

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