ticking sound when acceleration - 2002 Trailblazer LS 167k mi

[Berns]

Hello All,
I have been going over the threads and noticed that most symptoms are similar while idling than when accelerating. I just got my TB, I wanted to know if the cause of the ticking is the missing nut on the manifold in the video. I get the ticking when I initially accelerate in Park but when I am driving I get the ticking on the passenger side not matter how much I accelerate. Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

Note: The previous owner had all the coil packs and plugs replaced in August 2012 cause the car stalled and would not start. There is a slight shake when coming to a stop and when I am sitting in a red light. Per the records it seems that Big O Tires and Jiffy Lube handled all the maintenance throughout.

[video=youtube;XkU3oPU0l3M]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkU3oPU0l3M[/video]

 

[triz]

You might want to check your spark plugs. Make sure they are the OE replacements.

 

[Berns]

You might want to check your spark plugs. Make sure they are the OE replacements.

Thanks I will do that. I took it to a well know shop here in Cypress, Ca and they mentioned it will need the manifold replaced. First they said it was engine internals but then they got another guy to listen and he mentioned that the manifold needed to be replaced. I will look at it more this weekend.

 

[dfc739]

Thanks I will do that. I took it to a well know shop here in Cypress, Ca and they mentioned it will need the manifold replaced. First they said it was engine internals but then they got another guy to listen and he mentioned that the manifold needed to be replaced. I will look at it more this weekend.

I just came here to say this. When my exhaust manifold developed cracks it sounded more like a ticking when I was accelerating and was almost inaudible when idling. I could smell exhaust under the hood though, which was a big clue. It's a very common problem on these vehicles.

 

[Berns]

I just came here to say this. When my exhaust manifold developed cracks it sounded more like a ticking when I was accelerating and was almost inaudible when idling. I could smell exhaust under the hood though, which was a big clue. It's a very common problem on these vehicles.

Mine does that too. When idling or at a stop light you do not hear it but as soon as I hit the accelerator it starts ticking sounds like a lifter is hitting. When in park and I step on the gas pedal it starts ticking but as soon as I rev it higher like at 2k and hold it, it goes away. I hear it more when the car is in gear. I attaches a video of the car in Drive and me stepping on the gas. My father in law is dead set on that who ever did the spark plugs at Big O Tires did not do a good job and that the noise is coming from a fouled plug.
*NOTE-IT PASSED CALI SMOG TODAY

[video=youtube;YFKYHv6KTKE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFKYHv6KTKE[/video]

 

[jaguarjoe]

Hi-

Just my $0.02 worth here.
Our '02 TB sounded like 5 lbs of crap in a 2# bag. Rattled like 12 marbles in a tin can.
Turned out to be the water pump. Grasp the fan blade at 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock and wiggle up and down. Should be solid.

 

[Berns]

Hi-

Just my $0.02 worth here.
Our '02 TB sounded like 5 lbs of crap in a 2# bag. Rattled like 12 marbles in a tin can.
Turned out to be the water pump. Grasp the fan blade at 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock and wiggle up and down. Should be solid.

Thanks for the tip. I was actually going to take the belt off and start the car a few seconds to see if it was the waterpump bearings cause it was the tapping/ticking at cold start up then it quiets down. Per the service records I got from the original owner, the water pump was replaced in 2011, about 30k miles already on the pump and maybe due. I had another person look at it and he mentioned that the belt tensioner is jumping too much when the car is idling. I am also going to check that who ever did the spark plugs used Delcos.

 

[Berns]

Today I started the truck from cold and the ticking started immediately, I went to the passenger side and got hit with exhaust smell as if I was standing behind the car, I also went inside the passenger wheel well and got the same smell. I was also putting my hand above the manifold and noticed that heat was coming off the front part of the manifold and that is where the sound seems to come from. I also sounds like a vacuum leak. Once it warms up it quiets down. So my first thought and the professional opinion I got seemed to fall on the manifold leak. Will take off the shield this weekend and tighten the bolts if needed and hopefully that is all I have to do.

 

[Berns]

I solved the ticking. I downloaded the manual to see the position of the manifold bolts and guess what...the first bolt was out. I tightened it without taking the exhaust shield and voila...the annoying sound is gone. Now I have to update the differential gasket cause it started leaking and most likely the motor mounts are shot cause everytime I go over a bump I get alot of shaking and sounds like the engine is loose. It shakes when I turn on the AC but seems to shake less when the temps get hotter and I have been running around town.

 

[Mooseman]

For the shaking with the AC, have you cleaned the throttle body? And if so, disconnected the battery at least 30 mins? A bad mount would give constant shaking at idle.

 

[gmcman]

For the noise over bumps, check the sway bar links. Also check the lower ball joints, both are notorious for producing taps and clunks. Raise the wheel off the ground by the lower control arm, don't allow the wheel to hang. Then use a prybar under the tire and lift up on the tire. If the LBJ compresses they need to be replaced.

 

[Berns]

Has anyone used threadlock on manifold bolts? I plan to take off the heatshield this weekend and tighten all the manifold bolt but I was concerned on the front ones as those get loose after a couple hundred miles and those are the ones that were halfway out when I first inspected the manifold bolts when I had the ticking sound.