valvetrain issues

[atl gn]

I've had a lifter ticking since I bought the car, its never been that loud, and never really inhibited performance. But now I have a new clacking under the drivers side valve cover that doesn't follow a pattern, it just kind of randomly clacks around-louder as you give it more throttle. The couple days it did it the car was running choppy, you could hear it through the exhaust while driving. I have since parked the car and am saving up some $. Does it sound like a wiped out cam, shot lifter, or a problem up top like a rocker shaft?

 

[b231v6]

Broken valve spring???

 

[trading t/a]

Either a valve spring or a collapsed lifter. I collapsed two of them to the point where the cup and spring were laying in the valley(not a good thing)!

Take the valve cover off take your two thumbs side by side and try to push down on the spring if ones is broken you'll know it.....

 

[b231v6]

I went thru this before. I'm going thru it again. Ony bad thing on fixing it this time is it's #6 exhaust spring. Since Ive been down this road lately I can recall the symtons. The spring is broken in 1 place now. I don't get any knock on the scanmaster. Idle is very choppy,IAC numbers are goofy,and boost is alittle weird

First time It started out like this also,then the spring broke at another location.(this on the same spring). Then I got lots o knock on the scanmaster.

The difference between you and me is I've got a roller valve train.

If that's the problem I can surely help you out.

 

[atl gn]

I put in new springs about a year ago, but one could be broken. The cam and lifters have never been out, they have 119k on them. I've been getting a lot of wierd knock lately, I just thought it was the new Red A chip. I'm popping off the valve cover tomorrow when it stops raining.

 

[b231v6]

The first spring that I had problems with you could not hear it. But when it broke in a second place man I got knock as high as 28 on my scanmaster. I could hear the noise very easily comming from under the valve cover. GOOD LUCK!!!

 

[tazgn]

This could also be a broken rocker shaft or loosened bolt holding the rocker shaft down. This is what happened when my rocker shaft broke in multiple places...

Derrick

 

[atl gn]

Could anybody tell me what to torque the rocker shaft bolts to when it goes back on? Thanks

 

[b231v6]

I don't know what the stock would be but,my T&Ds were 25 ft.lbs.
Did you have a broken spring?

Turbo regal site might have the info you need.

 

[b231v6]

I just looked it up on that site and their 25 ft. lbs too.

 

[atl gn]

Thanks for the info. I didn't have time to get it off yet, it was dark after I got out of the falcons game. Hopefully it is something cheap and easy like a broken spring I hate driving the slow car

 

[steve hughes]

Are you sure it's not an exhaust leak? Drivers side header?

 

[atl gn]

No, I replaced the cursed GM headers with some ATR's. Okay, Ive got the valve cover off so what do I need to look for? I've pushed on all the rocker arms, and cranked it over for a second. It's damn sure clackin away but I don't really know what I'm looking for. I'll be happy to go back out there with a flashlight if anybody has some tips for me

 

[b231v6]

Have you narrowed down the noise to a specific area. If the spring is broke you should be able to spin the push rod on that peticular spring. You say its making alot of noise but shows nothing on the scanmaster. Disconnect the orange wire at the battery and crank it over a few times. Did you drain alot of coolant. If it"s making alot of noise you should be able to get close.

Maybe there is a mechanic on this board who can lead you closer to the problem.

This would be a good time to have a friend crank it over so you can observe and listen.

 

[atl gn]

Thanks b231v6 I'll check it out

 

[b231v6]

I kinda gave you silly info because I did'nt read your first post good enough. Drivers side!! forget what I said about the coolant DOH!!

 

[atl gn]

aaaaaand......survey says............I wiped a lobe off my cam