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How much engine noise is normal?

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Old Sep 19, 2005 | 10:14 AM
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Default How much engine noise is normal?

Hello all,

I know there are 1,000 posts about valvetrain noise, slap, and LS1's being noisy in general. But what there isn't a lot of discussion of, is what is the threshold that is considered normal?

I don't have piston slap. But I do notice that my 2000 / 52k mile LS1 has a slight deep metallic tunk tunk tunk that is noticeable at idle. You have to listen for it, but it is there. It is not loud enough to hear inside the vehicle, even with the top down. But if you are outside of the car or under the hood you can hear it.

It ramps up with rpm, disappearing around 1500 rpm or so. Doesn't seem to vary with temperature, and I just changed in Mobil 5-30 synth (not sure what the GM dealership used at sale, prolly dino 5-30), with no change. It is not injector noise, and doesn't go away with full temp. I haven't had the car in winter so I don't know about cold influence.

Car doesn't burn any oil, pulls about a 13.6-13.7 1/4 on 275 fusions + 2.73's. So it seems just fine to me.

But I have a GMPP warranty for 24k miles and am wondering if this is something to have looked at. As you may or may not know, if I take it in and they don't confirm a "problem" then I get stuck with $50-100 of diagnostic charges.

Way it is right now I'll probably just keep an eye on it over the next year or so and see if it changes, but advice would be welcome.
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Old Sep 19, 2005 | 10:26 AM
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bring it in... 100 bucks spent will at least give you piece of mind that everything is okay. I know that the dealerships aren't the best but im sure they will give you a pretty solid answer.
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Old Sep 20, 2005 | 01:50 AM
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Tks, I will probably take it in this winter when it is less needed.

But I wonder still, can't someone post some guidelines about sound levels from my original post?

I'm really curious how "loud" something needs to be before it warrants attention.

I guess it seems to me that if it was any sort of journal bearing, well that would degrade rather quickly.

What would a stuck lifter do? What are the impacts?
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