Anyone got a pick of a cracked flexplate?

[robk46]

Still chasing a ticking noise while warmed up and in gear. I'm going to be putting it on ramps in a couple of hours and going over everything until I find the problem. Anyone have a pick of a cracked flexplate? Do they crack at the crank, or just at the torque converter?

 

[WE4]

Well..

Still chasing a ticking noise while warmed up and in gear. I'm going to be putting it on ramps in a couple of hours and going over everything until I find the problem. Anyone have a pick of a cracked flexplate? Do they crack at the crank, or just at the torque converter?

Before we even begin to think the worst, Have you cked the Torque converter bolts for loosening up? It doesn't take much to be loose. That would be NUMBER 1 to ck and easy to do. Ok, if they are tight then we move on.
90% of the time they crack right at the crank flange , which you will NOT be able to see unless trans is pulled. If it is the flexplate, DO NOT.. and I reiterate... DO NOT buy any aftermarket flexplate except a "JW Wheel" which is chrome moly and sfi certified or a new stock one. We have both in stock. The aftermarket ones are not to specs and have a habit of doing some weird things and not lasting as long. Just a tip.

But it sounds to me like it is probobly a cracked pump rotor or vane. I had a cracked rotor in my own car for 60,000 miles and it made a tick but trans functioned normal and just made noise. So it is possible that the trans will still work and well at that but still have a cracked rotor or vane.

I know it sucks but the ONLY way to know is to disassemble and ck.
That is the only way to be sure.
On a side note, ususally a cracked flexplate will tick ALL the time and get worse with RPM. But it is always there. A cracked rotor or vane, usually makes noise only when loaded such as in gear or under a drive conditon.
Like I said tho, USUALLY. Nothing is for certain and we have all chased something like this down at one time or another.
Good luck.


Bruce
WE4
www.PTSXTREME.com

 

[robk46]

Thanks for the reply WE4. It's a bone stock '86 GN w/73k miles. No mods besides Walbro340. Just replaced the rear main seal. The car runs very well, with no knock or hesitation. I'm running Delo 15w40 with a fresh AC filter. My problem is when the engine warms up, I have a tick that sounds like a lifter while the engine is in gear. Actually, it really doesn't happen until the car has been driven. If you let it idle in the driveway for 20 minutes, and put it in gear, it still won't make the sound. It's only after you've driven it around for a while that it starts to tick. You can't hear it from inside the car, but if you have the windows open, and you're next to a building, or you're outside the car, you can hear a tick that changes with RPM. This only happens when in gear. It's driving me crazy! Every car I've ever worked on had some sort of noise or another, but I ended up finding it. The only noises I've ever had that only happened under load were exhaust related, so this is a new one on me. I just retorqued the flex plate bolts to 46lbs. Two were tight, one was a little loose. No noticable cracks.

 

[WE4]

Ok new thought....

Thanks for the reply WE4. It's a bone stock '86 GN w/73k miles. No mods besides Walbro340. Just replaced the rear main seal. The car runs very well, with no knock or hesitation. I'm running Delo 15w40 with a fresh AC filter. My problem is when the engine warms up, I have a tick that sounds like a lifter while the engine is in gear. Actually, it really doesn't happen until the car has been driven. If you let it idle in the driveway for 20 minutes, and put it in gear, it still won't make the sound. It's only after you've driven it around for a while that it starts to tick. You can't hear it from inside the car, but if you have the windows open, and you're next to a building, or you're outside the car, you can hear a tick that changes with RPM. This only happens when in gear. It's driving me crazy! Every car I've ever worked on had some sort of noise or another, but I ended up finding it. The only noises I've ever had that only happened under load were exhaust related, so this is a new one on me. I just retorqued the flex plate bolts to 46lbs. Two were tight, one was a little loose. No noticable cracks.

Ck the exhaust manifold on the drivers side for a crack where the three pipes come together. They usually crack between 3-5 cylinder. Ck it close. The fact it only does it hot tells me cold the crack is closed. As the engine heats it will leak. Ck the passenger side also. Ck for cracks in the manifolds. CLOSE!!! this scenario is right on for a crack. You will usually hear it driving next to a curb or a wall or a center divide. Sounds EXACTLY like a lifter tick. Ck the manifolds now and closley. Thyen get back to me. Bet you are surprised and relieved. Ck it

Bruce
WE4
www.PTSXTREME.com

 

[robk46]

I just had the driver's side header repaired. It had a big crack in it. I'm thinking it may be the crossover or passenger side. I'm going to go with this, but it's tough to troubleshoot by myself. Got any tips? How about running seafoam in it and watching for smoke?

 

[WE4]

Whatever works...

I would get car in air on jackstands, and have somebody stall the car and feel around looking for a leak. That would be a priliminary test.
But again, that's me....

Good luck but it does sound more like an exhaust leak now to me than a trans issue. I could be wrong, as I am human.... or so I think..LOL

Have a good one
Bruce
WE4
www.PTSXTREME.com

 

[robk46]

Going outside with my teenage son right now to see if we can find the problem. I f it's and exhaust leak, it's definetly a tough one to find.

 

[robk46]

Well, I stood on top of the engine bay and listened. It's coming from the driver's side rear head area, so I think the freshly welded header is warped. I went ahead and ordered some Felpro 1400 gaskets from Summit. Hopefully this will fix the problem.

 

[WE4]

That is what it sounds like to me.

That leak will sound EXACTLY like what you are looking for. The fel Pro Gaskets will solve it.
Good luck
Bruce
WE4
www.PTSXTREME.com

 

[robk46]

Well, put felpro 1400 gaskets on the exhaust and ran a smoke test. No leaks, but the noise is still there. Pulled the valve covers to make sure everything was good, and it all looks fine. I retorqed the rocker shafts to 25 lbs. One bolt was loose on the driver's side. I think now it's either the flexplate, or something going on with the transmission. Is there any way I could have screwed up the rear main seal install to make it tick under load?

 

[WE4]

Well....

Well, put felpro 1400 gaskets on the exhaust and ran a smoke test. No leaks, but the noise is still there. Pulled the valve covers to make sure everything was good, and it all looks fine. I retorqed the rocker shafts to 25 lbs. One bolt was loose on the driver's side. I think now it's either the flexplate, or something going on with the transmission. Is there any way I could have screwed up the rear main seal install to make it tick under load?

No way on the rear seal. Man, you got me. I would ck the crossover pipe and the whole exhaust system.
Other than that, pull the trans and inspect EVERYTHING.
I wish I was closer so I could look at it and hear it and try to help, but... I am here, you are there.
Have you cked the cam sensor?
Let me know.

WE4
Bruce

 

[robk46]

Thanks for the offer. I wish your shop was close too I'll bet it's the flexplate, and it's got a small crack near the crank that only starts making noise when the converter engages and puts pressure on it. I'm going to move ahead with the suspension rebuild,body work and interior and stop jerking around trying to find the problem for now. When I pull the tranny, I'll let you know. Looks like you have two different flexplates, is it worth getting a 'moly one for a stock GN?

 

[WE4]

It would definitly be more than suffeciant

Stock would probobly be fine for you but if you wanted an SFI certified one and not have to worry about it ever again, step up to the chrome moly one.
So the answer is , if you desire to.
Bruce
WE4
Performance Transmission Services

 

[justabuickv6]

My car makes the ticking too. It has now for 3 or 4 years. It only does it once it has warmed up. I hate it. Sounds like a whoopty sitting at the light. I have been told that it might be a cracked rotor or vane.