Tapping sound...searched, specific details...please help
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Orlando, FL
Tapping sound...searched, specific details...please help My engine (00' Camaro SS M6 stock) is making a tapping sound. Im not sure what it is. It started today after i changed the plugs with a friend. The tapping increases as the RPMs increase. It sounds like its coming from the #1 cylinder area. We were changing the plugs and dropped one and it fell inside the motor mount so we couldnt get it. We then put an old plug in so there were 7 new plugs and 1 old plug. It then threw a #1 cyl. misfire code so i replaced that plug with a new one and the code didnt show up anymore after it was deleted. Oil was just changed. We arent sure if we clicked the #8 plug boot in all the way or not. Would this cause a tapping? The car seems to be running fine. No codes are being thrown anymore. I bought the car 4 days ago and it wasnt making a tapping. Could piston slap just start up like that? Any help greatly appreciated. Thanks
I think I might have this problem as well. I've got a ticking sound that is also rpm dependant, but I can't figure out what it's from. I thought it was an exhaust leak but Speed Inc. couldn't find one. It's started ticking after a header/new spark plug install.
Check and recheck the plugs. A couple years ago, I had a tapping sound that I could not track down. It got bad enough that after exhausting every resource I had, I took it to a dealer. 20 minutes after I paid nearly $100 for a diagnosis of a collapsed lifter, a spark plug completely backed out and scared me half to death. Check and recheck the plugs.
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,043
Likes: 0
From: Texas and Qatar
Could be piston slap which is common and doesn't seem to have long-term effects on the engines I've torn down. Since your car is a M6, its very possible that a previous owner has a misshift incident (overrev) which could have bent some pushrods. The pushrods luckily are very weak and usually prevent further engine damage during an overrev. I have tons of stock take-out pushrods you can have for shipping costs if you want to save a few bucks if thats what it turns out to be. 
Did the sound start right after the plug change? If so, it's almost for sure going to turn out to be a poorly connected wire or a loose plug. Valve train noise has a slightly different sound, and a piston slap sounds different than the other sounds. If you're not sure, it's best to get a professional opinion.
You mean the boot that seats over the plug was loose? I'm still trying to figure out what is wrong with mine.
I have overevved it once in the past, but haven't had any problems with it. If I had a bent pushrod, is it just because of the header install that now I can hear it? I know the headers will transmit the sound more than the stock manifolds, so maybe the noise is just audible now.
I have overevved it once in the past, but haven't had any problems with it. If I had a bent pushrod, is it just because of the header install that now I can hear it? I know the headers will transmit the sound more than the stock manifolds, so maybe the noise is just audible now.
Trending Topics
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo
Five Reasons the Camaro Was the Most Pivotal Player in the Pony Car Wars 2.0
Brett Foote
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,938
Likes: 0
You sure the plugs were tightened down all the way? Check the plug wire boot to make sure it was snug?
Also, how loud is the ticking? My Formula ticked all the time...LS1's just tick.
Have your fuel injectors ever been cleaned since you bought the car?
Also, how loud is the ticking? My Formula ticked all the time...LS1's just tick.
Have your fuel injectors ever been cleaned since you bought the car?
I didn't torque the spark plugs down, but I tightened all of them until they were snug. Fuel injectors haven't been cleaned.
The reason I'm wondering if it's something I did was because the ticking started after the headers/spark plug change. But that could possibly be just because now you can hear it without the cast iron manifolds in the way.
The reason I'm wondering if it's something I did was because the ticking started after the headers/spark plug change. But that could possibly be just because now you can hear it without the cast iron manifolds in the way.
That's what my father thought mine sounded like to, but I just figured it was an exhaust leak. I need to check if they're tight enough. Anyone know what they should be torqued to? Is it 22 ft-lbs?
