ticking

[kristen]

ok well a lady at my work has a 2001-02 firebird 3.8. shes telling me that when she starts the car she can hear ticking. and as she drove and started to stop the car would start to stall out(auto) and go back to idel. the engine is getting loud. she doesnt drive it now. the engine just has 70k on it. what do you think it is? lifter?????

[CDNFB]

Re: ticking

All these problems that she is having might not necessarily be related, except the fact the the car/engine is aging. I take it that the SES light is not illuminated.

when she starts the car she can hear ticking

Lifter or loosness in the valve train is highest probability, but could be other things as well, for example, exhaust leak, worn fuel injector(s), Ignition wire arching or leaks (old wires), even the serpentine belt with damage in a certain spot can make a tick noise as it passes around pulleys

as she drove and started to stop the car would start to stall out(auto) and go back to idel

Not because of lifters or valve train, but could be (wow! where do we start?):
- Worn, restricted or plugged fuel injectors (poor spray pattern),
- Worn, hardened, cracked ignition wires.
- Worn plugs,
- EGR valve,
- Fuel pressure problem (pump or filter)
- failure of Torque Convert to dis-engage properly.

the engine is getting loud.

How? As in exhaust tone or intensity? Or some other noise from the engine?Check to see if the exhaust system is starting to rot out.

I think that you should go over and drive her car and evaluate the problems she says she is having first hand. Sometimes peoples descriptions of problems aren't accurate which makes diagnosis very difficult. Ask any mechanic who talks to the customer. Some descriptions are downright wierd.

On a side note, I have a 16 yr old daughter who has just passed her road test and now has the full drivers licence. She loves to drive our 99' Firebird and does so at every and any opportunity, but was kind of intimidated by the car at first when she was still a learner. I showed her some of your videos to in an effort show her that not only can a girl drive this kind of car, but can also work on it and modify it, and that this is not just guy stuff. She was certainly impressed with you and that made a difference. Although she not so interested in modding things (unless Dad does it) she is now proving to be a more confident and skilled driver. I did tell her though that although they look cool, the brake stands, burnouts, massive accellerations, drifting and high speed passes were not the things that I'd care to see her do. I better keep an eye on that rear tire wear!

[Camarorulz]

Re: ticking

Ticking could be the lifters, but the car stalling out is a problem unrelated to lifters I think. As said in a previous post, there are a ton of things that could make it stall.

[Ace]

Re: ticking

First things first. Your friend doesnt owe the Mob any money does she?

[Den69RS96]

Re: ticking

Sounds stupid, but check the oil level. I believe our cars have hydraulic roller lifters. Hydraulic lifters have a tendacy to tick until there is plenty of oil. Exhaust leaks can sound like a lifter going bad, so make sure there are no exhaust leaks. If no leaks pull the valve covers.

[T-Mill]

Re: ticking

My friend's car ticked from leaky headers... that also may account for the engine loudness as well...

[Camaro Dom]

Re: ticking

First things first. Your friend doesnt owe the Mob any money does she?