OldSocks

Sorry if the ticking is hard to hear in the video. The engine ticks faster as the car accelerates to about 2k rpm. After 2k rpm, either the exhaust is too loud or the tapping is too fast to hear clearly anymore.

I have listened to and read a lot of threads on ticking and tapping so I am guessing it's a lifter tick, but I would love to hear what others have to say. I think I can rule out an exhaust leak as the sound is definitely coming from inside the engine and the tapping sounds metallic.

00Vette04GTO

Sounds like a lifter to me... Would need to be a big exhaust leak that you would be able to identify pretty easily I'd image.

00Vette04GTO

Figure out which side it is coming from - then try to identify which cylinder...

Sounds like top end for sure. REALLY loud so I would identify it sooner than later. Or tell people you put a diesel in there and ride it until it dies.

In all honesty though, it would probably go another 100,000 miles like that and it is just a lifter... But sounds awful.

OldSocks

It does sound pretty bad. I think it got louder after I changed the oil from 5w-40 to 30 oil.
Here is a thread I posted in general maintenance about my car stalling as well.

https://ls1tech.com/forums/general-m...n-low-rpm.html
I'm not sure if the issues are related though.

Also my oil pressure has always been good but the gauge needle does bounce around a bit at idle, and the ticking noise is present on cold or warm startup, and does not go away.

What is the worst that will happen if I run the car as is? Can the stuck or broken lifter cause any internal engine damage if left unattended?

WS.SIX

iTrader: (3)

I had that same sound. It was my lifter flatspotting on the cam.

SSickLS1SS

try running a thicker oil and then get back to us with a video, it might be a stuck lifter

sreve

iTrader: (3)

A mechanic's stethoscope is in expensive and will pinpoint the
noise. I would get the valve cover(s) off and check lifter preload.
Maybe a rocker spit some bearings?

Mazzenger

iTrader: (5)

I would also take off the valve covers and see if any of your rockers have any travel. I had a similar sound that turned out to be a collapsed lifter.

garygnu

how many miles on the engine ?

Cajun ELESS-ONE

sounds like a lifter or rocker. pull a cover and see if a rocker is loose or lost some needle bearings

Ronny_02_WS6

iTrader: (6)

Might a Lifter or Rocker, pull the valve covers to see if there are any problems, if not, change to a thicker oil, also make sure that coolant is not mixing with oil, if it is then is a bad head gasket.

OldSocks

I've tried running Rotella 5w-40 and recently switched to 5w-30 Castrol Edge but not made in Germany. It was a bit quieter with the thicker oil, but the ticking sound was still present and clearly audible.

Just over 131k. The engine is stock

Is there a way to check if the coolant is mixing with the oil? Anything to look for in particular? Fluid levels seem to be normal.

Ronny_02_WS6

iTrader: (6)

Just open the oil cap and if it looks milky that means it's mixing but that's usually for the people that have removed the heads. It seems like it's a valvetrain issue for sure. Lifter/pushrod/rocker/valvespring.

speednine

It is a failing lifter. Can almost bet that the internals of the lifter are failing or have failed. If you have one then others to follow due to milage.
Oil pressure is the tell tale sign there along with the sound you described. Either lifter or bearing my 2 cents is the lifter hands down.
I wouldn't run the engine anymore because you are now creating more damage.