Generation III Internal Engine 1997-2006 LS1 | LS6
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

top end clanging

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 7, 2012 | 08:07 PM
  #1  
FL Junkie's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (23)
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 374
Likes: 0
From: Alabama
Default top end clanging

earlier tonight i was leaving my cousins house then all of a sudden my car starting making a tapping noise, stumbling, and barely running. i creeped it into a neighbors driveway and shut it off.
i cranked it really quick and listened to the sound again and it sounds like a clanging metal to metal noise in the top end on the driver side. its idling very low and struggling. the clanging is very loud. i mean its barely running.
any ideas what that is? my first thought was that a valve spring broke and the valve dropped. but i think it would have been worse if that were the case? or it could be a lifter broken.
i am running comp 918s with a fairly big cam and i know they have been known to break. i hope my ls1 is not toast. im so pissed right now.
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2012 | 09:24 PM
  #2  
FL Junkie's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (23)
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 374
Likes: 0
From: Alabama
Default

havent had a chance to pull the valve covers yet, but i did check the oil its down 2 quarts. it may be spun rod bearing but it sounds like its in the top end. i know my rear main seal was leaking but i just checked the oil the other day and it was fine. could it the lifters are not pumped up all the way due to the low oil?

Last edited by FL Junkie; Feb 7, 2012 at 09:34 PM.
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2012 | 07:56 AM
  #3  
GMtechmatt's Avatar
Launching!
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 231
Likes: 0
From: CT
Default

take a long screw driver hold it to your ear and to the top of the motor while its running you may be able to pin point if its top end, worn or broken valve guides can cause a oil consumption issue?> how was your oil pressure?
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2012 | 06:54 PM
  #4  
ZeeOSix's Avatar
TECH Regular
 
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 452
Likes: 2
Default

I'd pull the valve covers before running it anymore ... sounds major.
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2012 | 10:30 PM
  #5  
FL Junkie's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (23)
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 374
Likes: 0
From: Alabama
Default

ok i pulled the valve covers off today and it turns out one of my valve springs broke. the valve is still in place. the rocker, pushrod, and retainer are ok.
so what should i do next? i could put a spring back on it and attempt to crank it that way. or i could play it safe and pull the heads. i dont know if the valve is bent or if it hurt the piston. any advice?
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2012 | 09:14 PM
  #6  
S10xGN's Avatar
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,782
Likes: 7
From: Port Neches, TX
Default

Originally Posted by FL Junkie
ok i pulled the valve covers off today and it turns out one of my valve springs broke. the valve is still in place. the rocker, pushrod, and retainer are ok.
so what should i do next? i could put a spring back on it and attempt to crank it that way. or i could play it safe and pull the heads. i dont know if the valve is bent or if it hurt the piston. any advice?
Step 1: Put that cyl on TDC, pull the broke spring and see if the valve moves freely. If not, pull it apart. If the valve "seems" OK, go to Step 2.
Step 2: Put a spring on it, make sure that cyl is on TDC, air it up and see if it leaks. If so, pull it apart. If not, start it.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:07 PM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE