Engine tick when warm...Push rods?
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Joined: May 2014
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Engine tick when warm...Push rods? Hi all, long time reader first time poster 
My 08 Grand Prix GXP has been having some engine noise that seems to be getting worse as it warms up, which I believe is different than the typical lifter tick noise. This noise is non-existent when first fired up, but as the engine warms up it shows up and gets louder. It definitely ticks all the time, but more so when under load, and it seems to correspond with the RPMs. I know there's a billion posts on lifter noise but my understanding is that noise would typically go away when warm, not get worse.
Might be completely unrelated, but she used to burn through half a quart of oil or so every 6 moths (~4000-5000 mi), but now it's burning through about 3 times that amount (I keep checking it and topping it off every month or two). I know these engines are notorious for burning oil so it might be unrelated.
Completely stock under the hood, 68,xxx miles, Running Mobile1 5w-30 since I got it with 12k on it. No real major repairs until spark plugs last month (Cyl 1 was misfiring because the plug was so bad)
Video (with the windows down, hood closed in a parking garage). You can hear it pretty clearly around 1000 RPM, but I can try to get better audio later tonight.
https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resi...t=video%2c.mp4
I'd love to hear what you experts think it might be, and what (if anything) I should be doing about it. I've always done my own regular maintenance but I'm a relative newb on the engine side of things. Thanks!
Brian
My 08 Grand Prix GXP has been having some engine noise that seems to be getting worse as it warms up, which I believe is different than the typical lifter tick noise. This noise is non-existent when first fired up, but as the engine warms up it shows up and gets louder. It definitely ticks all the time, but more so when under load, and it seems to correspond with the RPMs. I know there's a billion posts on lifter noise but my understanding is that noise would typically go away when warm, not get worse.
Might be completely unrelated, but she used to burn through half a quart of oil or so every 6 moths (~4000-5000 mi), but now it's burning through about 3 times that amount (I keep checking it and topping it off every month or two). I know these engines are notorious for burning oil so it might be unrelated.
Completely stock under the hood, 68,xxx miles, Running Mobile1 5w-30 since I got it with 12k on it. No real major repairs until spark plugs last month (Cyl 1 was misfiring because the plug was so bad)
Video (with the windows down, hood closed in a parking garage). You can hear it pretty clearly around 1000 RPM, but I can try to get better audio later tonight.
https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resi...t=video%2c.mp4
I'd love to hear what you experts think it might be, and what (if anything) I should be doing about it. I've always done my own regular maintenance but I'm a relative newb on the engine side of things. Thanks!
Brian
Last edited by GeckoAddict; May 27, 2014 at 08:42 AM. Reason: Add model year, spark plug detail
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mine sounded liked that when i was 1/2 to almost a 1 quart low.
also the burning oil is common, not sure how much is normal but mine did the same, i would have to add 1 quart between oil changes, then out of no where it doubled.
i have since disabled dod and havent needed to add since.
also the burning oil is common, not sure how much is normal but mine did the same, i would have to add 1 quart between oil changes, then out of no where it doubled.
i have since disabled dod and havent needed to add since.
could be a few things, I had a little noise getting seemingly worse with time. I recently did an oil change with sea foam in it and added a can to the gas tank and was really surprised how much it quieted down. Could have been lifters and stuck oil control rings or a slew of other things. But it started running and sounding better than ever so I dumped that oil after 1500 miles and put in cheap oil with sea foam again and have about 500 miles on it now and will change it within the next week to where Im going back to mobile 1 but will add sea foam to that as well. its not cheap at $12 a can but the cleaning it seems to be doing inside cant hurt anything for longer life.
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Joined: May 2014
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So I've checked the oil levels and everything was fine there. It definitely gets louder as the engine heats up, but is audible inside the car after just a few minutes of driving. I did also try a can of seafoam and a full oil change when it first started (month ago or so?) after reading similar posts here.
Another video of the sound. You can especially hear it when letting off the throttle: https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resi...t=video%2c.mp4
I had my mechanic take a quick look, and his initial thoughts were collapsed lifter or rod knock, and after a phone call to his engine guy is recommending a full rebuild (OUCH). I'm taking it over there later this week so he can hear it and tell me for sure. I half expected to replace a tranny before 100k given how bad they are, but I was not expecting this with 68k on it... completely stock, never seen a track, daily driver/commuter to work. Anyone know if GM would even consider helping out since it's less than the 100k warranty (even though it expired 08/14/2012)?
Another video of the sound. You can especially hear it when letting off the throttle: https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resi...t=video%2c.mp4
I had my mechanic take a quick look, and his initial thoughts were collapsed lifter or rod knock, and after a phone call to his engine guy is recommending a full rebuild (OUCH). I'm taking it over there later this week so he can hear it and tell me for sure. I half expected to replace a tranny before 100k given how bad they are, but I was not expecting this with 68k on it... completely stock, never seen a track, daily driver/commuter to work. Anyone know if GM would even consider helping out since it's less than the 100k warranty (even though it expired 08/14/2012)?
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,316
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From: Dolla$ , TX
I would just get a louder exhaust , the mechanic will have no clue just by listening.It would need to be explored .If he tells you too rebuild based on an noise then he just wants your money.drive it into the ground and just get a replacement engine once it stops running
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