Engine Noise...What is it?

[kirtyboyswag]

that noise is not lifter or rods its the whole piston!!! as i found out last nite my car comletely blew up and my 3100 had just got the oil changed! i suggest disposal of it. becuz i thought the car wud have been fine after the noise stops, but i was wrong and i had a 15k walk home after that. so u shud consider it or u may regret it. P.S i loved my gm but she didnt love me...

[mpmorgan82]

The knocking sound is piston slap. 3100's were made with excesive piston to cylinder clearance with the idea of reducing wear. As the engine warms up and the metal expands the knocking sound is suppose to diminish.

[johntaheri]

as one of the comment said all 3.1 make the noise i think is the lifter or the injector

[ghanus2009]

Im an IT Engineer and I'da guessed an IP conflict.... or loose spark plug.

[VoRtEcDuRaMaX]

try rislone, you can get it at most autostores , iget mine at crappy tire,my truck had really noisy lifters and it made it run a lot quieter . worth a shot since its only $10

[sharkeyes2333]

it only has a noisy lifters. thats okay

[frnkjones40]

My 3100 has 150k on it and was noise free til it ran hot , now it has a ticking sound.

[2011MrAmerica2011]

if its ticking when you drive it could be the gear box..right?

[hohoemm]

sound goes away when u press the clutch?

[TheForza1000]

Cam belt pulley? 

[hotmale19872004]

hey im a mechanic i graduated from TN. tech i have a Grand Prix with a 3100 in it and its made the same niose everysince i bought the car it had 85,000 miles on it now its got 325,000 miles and still runs strong more than likely its a cold start where the oils circulating threw out the engine. No biggy.

[hotmale19872004]

hey im a mechanic i graduated from TN. tech i have a Grand Prix with a 3100 in it and its made the same niose everysince i bought the car it had 85,000 miles on it now its got 325,000 miles and still runs strong more than likely its a cold start where the oils circulating threw out the engine. No biggy.

[hom2fu]

shit load of them don't even know



[goatk1]

What happened when you gave it gas?!?! My acura is making a similar noise you can see the video here. You seem to know a lot about engines anything you can comment will help. Thanks!

[hollister7L]

Hey man, this kinda sounds like my car... I have a 2000 impala, Its a ticking noise... not lifters or rods (knocking) but it seems like if I rev it up the ticking isnt as noticable while idling ?

[akadaboss1]

dont worry about it its just your turbo and cam!!!

[grngs1]

Who cares

[serjohns913]

that noise its normal on 3100 engines because its a loose piston engine and thats really good because metal expands with high temperature and this pistons expand once they get warm and they fit better with less friction and this engines have the capacity to go 400000 miles because of that.

[gaivoron]

lol thats a piston slap dude, i have same engine it does that when its cold let it warm up bit

[sprydo7]

EGR may have to be cleaned up. This maybe causing restriction in the exhaust or anything else to heat up within the system. Atop, like the components on the head assembly...not sure it this is mechanical,.. (loss motion) or hydraulic lifters may be given away after many miles. This sits under the both cams as the engine goes through its normal cycle. What do guys think? Please check=JG Engine...of a well built 4 cylinder engine...enjoy.

[jungledrum123]

This car has a cps so timing chain is out of the picture. Exaust possibly, l would start there then move on to lifters. Thiner oil may get it loose enough to pump up again. Could not tell but i think i heard the tensioner rattle as well.

[Jenfromgeorgia]

timing

[andrew125cr]

the stradford valve is out of adjustment

[muzicfan9]

not a mechanic but maybe i can help out...somethin is loose

[supersmalls]

wouldnt you ask yourself, what have i changed recently to have possibly caused this and investigated from there???

[1995fordsc]

defnatly a rear manifold exhaust leak most definatly just take it to a shop and say replace manifold gasket also their is a possibility its the egr gasket idr how the egr system on those is

[alvidrezoscar]

cam shaft, plain and simple, same thing happened to my brother

[cbaxz24]

my 3.1 cavalier makes same noise wouldnt worrie about it

[95corsicav6]

wow i had a very similar problem with my 3100 corsica. sounded EXACTLY like that and I thought it was an exhaust leak. So i replaced the exhaust flange gasket cuz thats where it sounded like it was coming from and that didnt fix it. I didnt notice it till my exhaust was replaced either.  Coming from rear side, number 5 cylinder. I got pissed when exhaust wasnt it and thats when i noticed the spark plug wire wiggling. Difference is mine was broken, not loose. Crazy how this stuff works.

[philliesfan868]

its the belts

[inkey2]

GOOD ADVICE HERE....if you ever get an engine tick...IMMEDIATELY order a can of "Rislone" "oil treatment" off ebay or try to find it in an auto parts store. Get an oil and filter change and leave out one quart of oil so you can add the "Rislone". After about a week the tick may very well be gone. I have used this stuff on 4 ticking cars and IT WORKED!!!!!!!! Rislone has been around at least 50 years

[urbex2007]

@inkey2 Adding that will not tighten a spark plug up!

[inkey2]

@urbex2007 ___Re: Rislone Oil Treatment.....no, it won't tighten a spark plug.... because that is not what it is designed to do......just like a trombone is not designed to prevent tooth decay. Your enlightening wisdom is very impressive.

[isoarcars]

Manifold leak between 1-2 or 3-4. Would have been nice if you reved it a few times both cold and hot.

[project1996z26]

I had a wire not hooked on the plug 100%, that caused this noise in my 1996, and in my 1992, actually had a cracked resistor on the plug. What brand coils/wires?

[rgrafton]

check out my video -- sounds similar ? or no?

[kebertxela41]

3.1 typical piston slap

[breiland941]

my best cure for any engine problems is a can of seafoam or turn up the radio ;D

[400hp93talon]

Beretta's are fuckin indestructable!!!!!!

[fordwindsor351]

@400hp93talon Bullshit, period

[KiNgOfThECoRn]

mine did that and all i did was pour marvel mystery fluid down the crankcase and it went after 200 miles

[ryanbeemus]

it seems to be running fine. and its defiantly not a BADDDDD sound lol. just sounds like a normal engine with some miles. there is a button on your dash that turns the radio up (that should take care of it )

[mstreamer9991]

It's not lifters, although they do make noise. You have an exhaust manifold leak.

[Jeeperanthony]

When was the last muffler bearing put on? Had a jiffy lube replace mine, and no noises since. :P

[yamabob776]

that definatley sounds electric. pull all ur plugs and make sure they are in all the way....worked with my focus

[loucks428]

It's spark plug tick. The knock isn't cracking like lifter knock... it's an electrical tick.

[luciffer420]

Its called lifter slap. the 3100 engins from gm were known for this even brand new off the lot. just a flaw.

[tropicmitch]

Piston slap. Normal on 3100 V6 Motors. Use 10W30 Oil 4 1/2 Quarts of Castrol High Mileage and a Napa Gold Filter and your good to go.

[28bigjon]

lol its funny every fucking body on this page is a mechanic....

[TheForza1000]

@28bigjon ; I'm a mechanic 

[03grandgtramair]

id be willing to bet your all wrong its timing chain slap most GM 3 series v6 (3.1 3.4 3100 and 3400) have it also the lifters freeze up but as long as it runs smooth id leave it alone the wisteling is the power steering pump mine does it be glad it dont do the annoying wineing..lol

[franck0011]

all..... calm down ... its not a piston slap... its only the lifters... 3100 sfi and 3400 sfi do this when cold.... i go to gm when my car started to do this and they said that a silverado 5.3l vortec do this too when its cold and the truck got 700 000 km loll(434000 miles) and he never changed the lifter on this truck... its a commercial truck that is always on highway.... its normal ... you will never get a problem with this... and some people said that syntec. oil fix this but not sure....

[younggun974]

the westling is a belt

[thisfuckingthing]

its a typical 3100 all 3100 and 3400 do it

[ashbball13]

It sounds like piston slap to me.

[SCprez]

lifter is hanging up a little. might have sledge build up. samething happen to mine. took it apart cleaned it now its good. i have a slightly built Grand am with a 3100. it has 203000+ on it. still runs good

[loveudestany]

mis fire!

[tristantao]

no wait, you already fixead it...lol

[tristantao]

loose plugs.

[getmoney420010]

do not drive untill you fix this i have the same car use to have the same problem and now i have ended up with a new motor it will fail... put in some 10 w 40 it will help

[DrCadillacV]

The noise is the hydraulic lifters, GM fitted these cars with slightly oversized housing so when the motor warms up and the oil gets flowing the lifters can expand slighty. Ergo, once the motor is warm the sound should go away. If it doesn't then the lifters are worn and its time to be replaced.

[KKFan9]

Had that issue with my 96 Corsica, except apparantly the lifter just wasn't filling up with oil fast enough. It made that sound for like 3 seconds after startup then went away.

[BoxerMuscleMilk]

Are the Lifeters Exspensive? and how long do they last? can you upgrade them so it wont wear out?

Eric.

[DrCadillacV]

Not as expensive as the process of removing and installing new one. They usually last about 250,000 miles. No big deal. But all of GM's tick when cold for that year model. Then of course smooth out once warm.

[myfagan]

lifters are worn, the winding noise is most likely bearings in water pump. not really a big deal. if you do change the lifters, make sure to change all of them because if one fails they all seem to fail shortly after

[Nipara]

just sell the car ! :D

[davidgggggggg]

listen for injectors working. you can also tap on each injector lightly with an extension and small hammer to free up

[CoryKeeper]

its a lifter (or several lifters). Nothing to worry about, but if you want to get rid of the noise, try some Lucas oil stabilizer or replace the lifters.

[Nza420]

no, do not use that Lucas Oil crap! It causes the oil to froth!! Google "bob the oil guy lucas oil stabilizer"

[CoryKeeper]

Odd, I've used it before, didn't froth the oil, and the guy's method of "testing" is bunk. He doesn't say what speeds the gears are running at (could be 10K for all we know) and thats in a gearbox, not an engine. The only way you can froth oil in an engine is to overfill it, which would cause the crank to hit the oil, thus chopping up the oil.

[Nza420]

you obviously didn't read the whole page.

[CLCelebrity89]

That almost sounds like a lifter

[BoxerMuscleMilk]

haha mayby? but it could also be very low on oil or mayby changed the oil from Regular to Synthetic or something, but it is not a Piston Slap for sure, I know what those sound like LoL.

[rain4thl]

by the way is it a clank noise? if so its a piston slap.

[rain4thl]

The wine noise in the engine is the water pump running, it acts like a turbine to give it an extra boost. I own a 1996 Chevy Beretta Z26 with a chevy 3100 sfi v6 and i have the samething.

[dave311500]

it is piston pin noise. nothing to worry about it.

[nineball83]

it sound like a rod knock. i have a 3.1 and mine did the same thing. i took it to pep boys where i work it turns out that i was right.if that is what u have then u have to replace the engine.

[johntaheri]

most 3.1 make that noise my 3.1 have it since new and know i have 275000 mile i think may be injector s please let me know.

[LarryDavidFreak]

it is GM's infamous 3.1L piston slap

[fuku2bitch]

you need a timing chain and guide,and an exhaust manifold gasket. for sure

[PimpXXXGuitarist]

you need new injectors...

(6) 33# injectors out of 97 supercharged grand prix for S A L E ! ! 100% functioning... $100 shipped....WILL FIT GRAND AMS

[Zambrano632]

Sounds liek a rocker arm!!!

[macosxpanther]

I have a 2000 Malibu with the 3.1 V6. Since first getting it with 85k on it; it has always made a sound like that. All 3.1's are a bit noisy that way. Now my Malibu has 201k on it. Don't worry about the sound, just run it and take it easy and it'll last forever.

[irelynx]

Like I said further back...the noise was the sound of a loose spark plug. It eventually ended up firing out of its seat, and if I hadn't shut the car off immediately it could have sparked an engine fire, so it was something to worry about in my case. There are some sounds that are harmless (normal), and other sounds that should be looked into.

[SRT480]

@irelynx in the future use a big screw driver and feel around the engine, the vibrations will resonate to your hand. sorta like prospecting ! nice car i had a 3.4 , great engine

[backwash440]

make sure the oil is in good shape i mean like no water in it cuz 3100s like to blow the lower intake gasket if not it has a bad rocker or lifter

[lovemyz28]

i have seen countless incidents of this with the lt1's used in the z28s i couldnt figure it out for the longest time. i thought it was a sticky lifter and maybe worse. but in just about every case it was just a loose spark plug wire.

[irelynx]

Just so that there's no more responses about the ticking...it was the result of a spark plug that had worked its way out of it's seat. Discovered it when there was a loud clunk (it firing out) and very loud popping (it sparking in the bay, and/or sparking off the metal of the engine). The only engine noises now are the normal ones, and maybe an exhaust leak, but I haven't checked for that yet.

[stormshockin]

@irelynx Exhaust leak: 0-ring (donut) where the main exhaust pipe attaches to the headers.

Exhaust leak also the header gaskets. 2 thin metal sheets inbetween the headers. Nothing to worry about for those.. but the o-ring Donut you might want checked out. Loss of backpressure there.

[LeonRFpoa]

@irelynx I was just about to say whoa, that doesn't sound like a valve or knock.

[ericiscool2007]

Try finding a exhaust leak. use a 3/8 hose put one end to your ear and listen around will sound like a hissing noise..

[akdster]

Hey,

I listened the best I could. I wish you could have rev'd it up a little bit to see if sound changes at all. honestly not very familiar with chevy v6 motors. This is what I hear:

Noise from injectors> probably normal

Exhaust leak of some sort> not normal.

take it back to the shop and have them look the exhaust over, a manifold gasket or donut gasket might be cracked. Another trick is to take a shop vac extension, hold one end to your ear then listen to the motor and find the noise.

[bobsbud23]

I own a 1997 chevrolet lumina and it has the 3100 sfi v6, and it makes the same noise, but it goes away after it gets warm. It has made this noise since 65000 miles, it now has 140000, but it never got better, and never got worse.

[irelynx]

That's probably piston slap if it's only there on a cold start & goes away (or quiets down) once the engine is warm. That's actually really common on 3100's. The noise mine makes doesn't go away and has gotten noticably worse since I first noticed it (as a faint tick) about 1000mi ago.

[stormshockin]

@bobsbud23

Exhaust leak also the header gaskets. 2 thin metal sheets inbetween the headers. Nothing to worry about for those.. but the o-ring Donut you might want checked out. Loss of backpressure there.

[stormshockin]

@bobsbud23

Exhaust leak the header gaskets. 2 thin metal sheets inbetween the headers. Nothing to worry about for those.. But if ya replace them, the ticking will go away. But, I honestly would not try it. Just leave it alone unless you plan on doing a head job. I say this because these bolts easily break from rust and age. They are very brittle.

[Jon3800]

I have that same problem in my lumina, it only does that when its cold, then goes away