Weird sound

[Camarorulz]

It's a slight ticking sound, and kind reminds me of lifter tick, and seems to be coming from somewhere under the hood, but I'm not sure. I'm 99% sure it's NOT lifter tick though, because the speed and intensity of the sound decrease with more RPM, they don't increase, as lifter tick does. Plus my lifters are only 10k miles old.

It also sounds like it could be an exhaust thing. Maybe a header leak? I occasionally hear a faint "pop pop pop pop" sound coming from the exhaust. It's hard to describe.

Maybe it's nothing. I was thinking it could also be a belt tensioner or something. Any ideas?

Forgot to mention: NO codes, and absolutely zero performance problems.

[Meatyshells]

Re: Weird sound

well i dont think it is an ehaust leak because im pretty sure the ticking would get more frequent with higher RPMs
so you can cross that off your list

[Chris2088]

Re: Weird sound

I have the exact same problem and it drives me insane. I can hear it at idle. Sounds like its coming near the engine/headers area. Then when I press on the gas it goes away after it goes up a few hundred rpms.

[slpbirdy00]

Re: Weird sound

same here lol

[Camarorulz]

Re: Weird sound

Well I still haven't figured it out, although I don't think it's anything significant.

My fuel pump went out, had it replaced, and it still makes the noise, so it wasn't that. I hate this sound.

[Vanquish]

Re: Weird sound

Could it possibly be that the oil isn't circulating quite well at low rpm's?

[mestupryan]

Re: Weird sound

i have this problem too. ticking ONLY at idle from inside the engine bay. its not all the time though, but pretty frequent. can our valves be adjusted without taking off the covers?

Car also seem to be chugging gas, but maybe im just running it too much ;)

[antmcg79]

Re: Weird sound

i have this problem too. ticking ONLY at idle from inside the engine bay. its not all the time though, but pretty frequent. can our valves be adjusted without taking off the covers?

Car also seem to be chugging gas, but maybe im just running it too much ;)

The springs, retainers and seals can be adjusted/replaiced without taking the CYLINDER heads, but not the valve heads...

[Camarorulz]

Re: Weird sound

I have the noise, but most of my valvetrain is brand new. I have new springs, retainers, pushrods, and lifters. I don't think it's a valvetrain thing.

[black34v6]

Re: Weird sound

my fiance has a "wierd noise" in her 96 3.8 vert as well - but not like you guys are describing. when she brakes or turns right (weight shifted to the left side of the car ) there is a knocking noise, like something is rubbing somewhere - cant figure out where cause its not apparent at idle or at low speeds.

thought it might be suspension, but it doesnt happen all the time..any ideas?