Help Me ID this Noise *Video*

[Schuby87]

This noise started a few days ago. I initially thought that is was an exhaust leak coming from the band clamp on my passenger side header collector. I had an exhaust shop seal up the band clamp and I'm sure that it's not leaking now, but the tick is still present.


Some info:
LPP stainless longtubes with new GM gaskets.
It is coming from right behind the wheel on the passenger side.
Increases frequency when RPMs increase.
Same sound when the engine is warm & cold (always present).
Can't hear it in the engine bay.
I don't think it's valve train noise (used a screwdriver on the head to listen).

Maybe a weld on a primary broke? I have no clue. Any help would be appreciated.

[1BADAIR]

the ticking? are you air tubes and egr still installed?
put your hand on the emmission tube. sounds like the valve it rattling

[Schuby87]

the ticking? are you air tubes and egr still installed?
put your hand on the emmission tube. sounds like the valve it rattling

Yeah, the ticking noise.

EGR and AIR have been removed.

[Caveman]

hows the car run going down the road? any noticable changes in hp/response?

[Schuby87]

hows the car run going down the road? any noticable changes in hp/response?

Seems the same. No noticible hp loss.

[Bad_Z28]

My vote is a header gasket leaking, can you feel any air blowing from around any of the primary tubes where they bolt to the head?

[Schuby87]

My vote is a header gasket leaking, can you feel any air blowing from around any of the primary tubes where they bolt to the head?

This is the next thing I am going to check out. I can't feel anything from the top of the header flange, and can't hear it from the engine bay.

[sman]

My car does it too. Mine more noticeable under the car. I gave up on it.

[Schuby87]

My car does it too. Mine more noticeable under the car. I gave up on it.

What headers do you have?


I just checked the header flange bolts - all tight at 18 lb ft.

I sprayed soapy water all around the header flange before starting it up, and didn't see any bubbles.

[sman]

I have coated pacesetters.

[Will]

Sounds exactly like my leaking header gaskets. You couldn't see or hear it from the top because it was blowing out the bottom. That's where my money is.

[Schuby87]

Sounds exactly like my leaking header gaskets. You couldn't see or hear it from the top because it was blowing out the bottom. That's where my money is.

How did you test out this theory? Or did you just replace the gasket? Is it common for this to happen to a brand new GM gasket in 6 months?

[Will]

I just replaced them. The first set I had on were from Hooker, they blew out within a week. The second set is Fel-pro. The first set that blew out was paper over a metal substrate, the new ones are some sort of graphite. I've had the new ones on for a couple months now and I haven't had any problems with them at all.

[sman]

I have the gm ones, brand new in may, kind doubtful they went bad already, but anythings possible.

[Schuby87]

I have the gm ones, brand new in may, kind doubtful they went bad already, but anythings possible.

I am under that impression also.

I'm going to pull the headers off to take a look at them when I do motor mounts after the Dream Cruise.