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VT Ecotec Clicking/Ticking Noise during idle

Discussion in 'VT - VX Holden Commodore (1997 - 2002)' started by mike_k, Jan 5, 2012.

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  1. Jan 5, 2012 #1
    mike_k

    mike_k New Member

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    Hi all,

    I have noticed that my VT makes a clicking/ticking noise from the engine when idling (while stopped at the traffic lights) however the noise disappears when driving. I have also noticed this noise on other VT Commodores when they are idling at the traffic lights. I have also heard this noise on the VS Commodore in the same situation. Does it happen with the VX or the VY? What is this noise? It doesn't bother me, I'd like to know what it is.

    Cheers all!
     
    mike_k, Jan 5, 2012
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  2. Jan 5, 2012 #2
    Krisp

    Krisp New Member

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    Happens with most v6 commodores over a certain age. What km's do you have on the car? Whats the oil you are using? What does the level of black oil on your rockers when you look down the oil filler cap?
     
    Krisp, Jan 5, 2012
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  3. Jan 5, 2012 #3
    lout

    lout Well-Known Member

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    could be lifters low oil pressure/too thin oil
    or could be noisy injector
     
    lout, Jan 5, 2012
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  4. Jan 5, 2012 #4
    Not_An_Abba_Fan

    Not_An_Abba_Fan Exhaust Guru

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    The most common cause of the tick is the belt tensioner. At idle, it tends to move a bit and it ticks.
     
    Not_An_Abba_Fan, Jan 5, 2012
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  5. Jan 5, 2012 #5
    pablo

    pablo Donating member

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    What are you saying Krisp by this statement?

    " What does the level of black oil on your rockers when you look down the oil filler cap? "

    We are confused!

    Pablo
     
    pablo, Jan 5, 2012
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  6. Jan 5, 2012 #6
    mike_k

    mike_k New Member

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    Thanks for all your replies!
    Firstly the car has done 137,000km however this noise has been there from day one, I just never bothered to enquire about it. Oil used is valvoline syn gard 10W-40 just as specified in the manual. Has anyone else noticed this noise? Next time you stop your VT at the traffic lights, open the window and listen for it, or park the car on the street, start it get someone to sit in the front and put it into drive, take of the handbrake and keep their foot on the brake pedal. I don't know if this noise can be heard on the VX or VY try the above and let me know.

    Cheers all!
     
    mike_k, Jan 5, 2012
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  7. Jan 5, 2012 #7
    GTS-Replica

    GTS-Replica Full Members

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    Sticky lifter.
     
    GTS-Replica, Jan 5, 2012
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  8. Jan 5, 2012 #8
    Not_An_Abba_Fan

    Not_An_Abba_Fan Exhaust Guru

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    Take the belt off and start it, if the noise is gone, then it is the tensioner. If the noise is still there and is an even ticking, then it could be valve train noise. As mentioned above, the lifters can tick on ecotecs.
     
    Not_An_Abba_Fan, Jan 5, 2012
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  9. Jan 5, 2012 #9
    mike_k

    mike_k New Member

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    The ticking is even and disappears when accelerating. It's not a problem nor annoying but now that you mentioned it, I thought it may have been the lifters ticking. I'm surprised noone has noticed the ticking on their VT, VX or VY; however not having the latter two models I can't comment whether the ticking is present during their idle, but this can be confirmed by those who have the VX and VY.
     
    mike_k, Jan 5, 2012
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  10. Jan 5, 2012 #10
    edals

    edals Well-Known Member

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    Does it sound like this ? This is the noise my VY makes, and i heard another VY the other day at the servo making the same sound.

     
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 21, 2016
    edals, Jan 5, 2012
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  11. Jan 5, 2012 #11
    mike_k

    mike_k New Member

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    No, the sound is more rapid than that
     
    mike_k, Jan 5, 2012
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  12. Jan 5, 2012 #12
    edals

    edals Well-Known Member

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    Get a Video and post it up if you can mate, makes it hard not being able to hear the sound, other wise its just all guess work
     
    edals, Jan 5, 2012
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  13. Jan 6, 2012 #13
    mike_k

    mike_k New Member

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    Hmm for some reason the sound (ticking) isn't able to be heard in the video playback yet standing in front of the car or even a few metres away it is noticeable. Since I've heard it on other V6 VT's and VS's it must be normal, just curious as to what it is and whether the VX and VY do it. It is only there when the car is in Drive or Reverse with the handbrake down and the brake pedal pushed, not with the transmission in any other position. I'm sure you've heard it on your own cars but thought nothing of it, next time listen for it when you are stopped at the lights, open your window, it's a very fast clicking sound which then disappears as you accelerate off.
     
    mike_k, Jan 6, 2012
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  14. Jan 6, 2012 #14
    thepowerman

    thepowerman New Member

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    i think i know what noise you mean it only happens when in gear and foot on the brake, it is like a vibration ticking noise. i have noticed it on other ecotec's as well. I think it has something to do with the harmonic balancer when under load, like foot on brake while in gear, my vxII hit 300000km last year and i replaced a lot of parts before a big trip in the old girl, replaced the harmonic balancer and the noise dissapeared for about 4 months. 12 months and 45000km's later the noise is noticeable again. I may be wrong but got a feeling it may be the harmonic balancers with a slight rattle after they are run in.
     
    thepowerman, Jan 6, 2012
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  15. Jan 7, 2012 #15
    oska

    oska Active Member

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    wrong answer if you can hear it from other cars


    maybe lifter noise from infrequent oil changes
     
    Last edited: Jan 7, 2012
    oska, Jan 7, 2012
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  16. Jan 7, 2012 #16
    VTS5

    VTS5 TechJunkie

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    That noise is,pure tappet noise,its doesnt dissapear when you rev the engine,its running so fast your ears just cant keep up with it,thats all.If my VT runs like that,that engine wouldnt be where it is now,so,just speak for your own.Also,nothing to do with T,X or Y's.They all the same engines,starting from VSII.Dont kid your self,dont change the oil or the belt :) Save your $$$$ Just repair it,also unless you've changed your air box/filter you have a second problem.
     
    VTS5, Jan 7, 2012
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  17. Jan 8, 2012 #17
    VYMAD

    VYMAD SILVERFOX

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    My VY Ecotec has a very quiet tick whilst idling. I can only hear it when the bonnet is up and my head's under there, like when checking tranny fluid.
    The tick comes from the inlet plenum area, so it's most likely a lifter or injector.
    Like I said though, it's not loud and doesn't worry me. 149,500 k on the clock.
    Apparently a ticking noise is fairly common on Ecotecs.
    I run Castrol Magnatec 10w40.
     
    VYMAD, Jan 8, 2012
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  18. Jan 8, 2012 #18
    Krisp

    Krisp New Member

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    The amount of caked on oil, if you have ever gone to buy and engine or a car its the first think i check. Lets me know if its had regular services through its life.
     
    Krisp, Jan 8, 2012
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  19. Jan 8, 2012 #19
    mike_k

    mike_k New Member

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    Thanks for the answers everyone. VTS5 did you read my statement that said it only happens in Drive or Reverse not Park or Neutral? If what you said about the tappets, wouldn't that mean I would hear the noise when in Park or Neutral with the engine on? I could be wrong, it could still be there in Park but drowned out because the engine is revving higher?? And of course as you said the noise speeds up too fast to recognise by human hearing, thus as to why I only heard it when stopped at the lights with the car still in Drive.
     
    mike_k, Jan 8, 2012
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  20. Jan 8, 2012 #20
    VTS5

    VTS5 TechJunkie

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    In your video,You firing the engine then immediately start revving it(up to 3,5-4k rpm).Was it in Drive or Reverse??Cause i certainly didnt see any forward or backward movement.Anyway,i let you in a little secret,while the engine running,take out the oil filler cap and get your ear close to the hole......You'll hear it much much clearer and louder.
     
    VTS5, Jan 8, 2012
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