I just got this car 2 months or so ago(01 trans am automatic tranny) & ever since I got it It has made a ticking noise. At first I thought It was just an exhaust leak so I got my exhaust fixed up & Welded.(after market flowmaster exhaust). After that it still makes the noise. It seems like now it is louder then it was when I first got the car. It used to be intermittent where sometimes you hear a ticking and sometimes you hear nothing at all. Now 95% I hear it and it is loud. Is there some sort of troubleshooting guide or list of things to check?? I don't know if it is the lifters, push rods, piston slap, or what.

tl;dr: Car makes ticking noise and I need a troubleshooting guide

 

You mention mufflers being replaced, but the real issue could be from the exhaust manifold gaskets. Where is the ticking coming from? Top of engine, under car?

 

Not 100% sure, but It is definitely under the hood.

 

could be a bad lifter

 

If it were me, I'd likely start with push rods. Pull the coil packs and valve covers off. Pull the push rods one at a time and check to ensure they're straight by rolling them on something perfectly flat.

 

This. Cleaning them would be the first step.


This guy's video isn't so great, but gives a good idea of how to do it. I prefer to pull the rockers off and the pushrods out, but that requires re-torquing the rockers to put it back together. If you don't have a torque wrench, then that could be a concern. However, pulling those parts gives you a clear shot at the lifters to give them a good soaking with B12 chemtool cleaner. The way this guy was doing it, he was counting on the carb cleaner to run down the pushrod to the lifter.

After you've cleaned them, give them a douse with some fresh oil, replace all parts, and test it out. You might be surprised.

 

+1 for header gasket to head. Passengers side front bolt likes to come loose

 

You may also check the converter bolts and check and see if your flex plate is cracked. This will be around the crank area if it is.

-Brian

 

Thanks guys for the advice, tomorrow morning I will try this and post a video with the sound if it persists