ticking sounds, gasket replacement & marbles in the oil pan...

[Roverjoe]

I've got a ticking sound at idle only on the driver's side. As soon as I touch the gas it goes away. I think that I have narrowed it down to an exhaust leak where the Y pipe connects to the manifold. Does this sound right? I may put some seafoam in there and look for smoke. If it were a bigger problem I should hear it on both sides? However while I was under the truck with it running it sounded like there are marbles in the oil pan! I also have a knock at startup which only happends when it is cold outside.

Questions:

How difficult is it to replace the Y pipe gasket at the manifold?
Think that it would be worth it for me to drop the oil pan and clean stuff out?
What is this bouncing marbles sound in the pan?

I know that many have encountered this problem & I'm looking for advice...

Thanks...

 

[alex]

Replacing the y-pipe gasket is easy, but you probably only need to tighten the nuts. You may also have a crak in the manifold, pretty common.

 

[jmoore]

How many miles, what year truck?

I'm concerned about that knock. Is it a deep sound or somewhat tinny?

 

[Roverjoe]

Thanks guys -

John - it is a deep knock. Sounds like a rubber mallet aganist the oil pan kind of knock. Not that loud but I can hear it in the cabin. My oil pressure light goes off immediately after startup. The knock usually lasts for 20 seconds or so. It does not knock when it is warmer outside. Meaning I'd say above 45 degrees. That is why I'm thinking oil viscosity issues. Right now I have new Mobil 5W40 w/ one quart of lucas stabilizer. I also have a K&N filter. Do you think that I should experiment with a different oil viscosity? The K&N filter does help the knock considerably. Trust me, I'm concerned as well.

Also I will tighten up the bolts that connect to the manifold. If I'm not mistaken there are two? Think it will be a good idea if I hit them with my impact wrench?

Thanks again - Joe

96 D1 - 85,000 miles
Synthetic since 40K

 

[alex]

Thanks guys -
Also I will tighten up the bolts that connect to the manifold. If I'm not mistaken there are two? Think it will be a good idea if I hit them with my impact wrench?

Thanks again - Joe

96 D1 - 85,000 miles
Synthetic since 40K

There are three. No power tools on these.

 

[jmoore]

Joe,

I was thinking bearings, but doesn't sound like that.

 

[Roverjoe]

thanks guys I'm going to tighten up those bolts - I'll let you know.....

 

[Black Mustache]

a note on blown exhaust gaskets- if it is indeed blown, there is a reason for it, probably a bad cat. tighten it up and if it goes away, hallelujah! if it returns (which i bet it does), find the where the back pressure is coming from.

 

[SandMan]

You've Got a Bad Kitty

I've got a ticking sound at idle only on the driver's side. As soon as I touch the gas it goes away. If it were a bigger problem I should hear it on both sides? However while I was under the truck with it running it sounded like there are marbles in the oil pan!

Questions:
What is this bouncing marbles sound in the pan?

The condition you described above is most likely a bad CAT.
- Ticking sound drivers side only = broken CAT on driver side
- Touch the gas goes away = increase the pressure in the CAT and the ceramic stops moving
- Under the truck sounds like marbles = the ceramic lining in the CAT has broken up leaving small chunks of ceramic to bounce around in the CAT. This only happens at idle and when you take your foot off the gas (back pressure in not a constant). While applying gas, the pressure in the CAT pins the ceramic pieces against the walls and no rattling.

When the rig is cold, take a small rubber mallet and tap on the drivers CAT. You can hear the pieces inside. Then, tap on the passengers CAT and see if you hear the same.

I hope this helps!

SandMan

 

[Roverjoe]

Thanks guys - do you know if these cats are under warranty?

 

[Joey]

CATs are covered under emissions warrenty up to 80k, but they must fail an emissions test, not just sound bad.

 

[kekule]

Bad cats

Sounds like a bad cat. Just replaced mine Friday--pieces of the cat were stuck in my resonator. Had a shop weld in a generic OBD II cat and put in a str8 pipe for the resonator. Less than $150.