jsdouglas Posted February 17, 2011 Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 I have a 2003 Sedan Deville base with a 4.6 northstar. it has a moderatly loud ticking or tapping (more ticking sound which seams to come from the valve train. I had one mechaic tell me not to worry about it that it was probably just a worn rocker and that to fix it would cost to much and it isn't doing any damage. The car seems to run well but the tick is getting slightly louder and appears to go away with just a little acceleration. I checked my codes and they are as follows: DDM U1713 hx, PCM PO422 current, PCM PO442 hx, and RCC B1009 hx. What should i check? what could this be making the noise. I am a fair mechanic but the northstar scares me. Please help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted February 17, 2011 Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 What oil are you using? P0442 - Evaporative Emission (EVAP) System Small Leak Detected Your engine has direct acting roller cams. Is this a tick or a knock? Quote Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1 >> 1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/ Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimD Posted February 17, 2011 Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 I have a 2003 Sedan Deville base with a 4.6 northstar. it has a moderatly loud ticking or tapping (more ticking sound which seams to come from the valve train. You really need to nail down the source of the noise. There is no history of valve train noise with these engines. What you might be hearing is a failing bearing in the water pump belt tensioner idler pulley. Check that end of the engine as the source of the noise. I am a fair mechanic but the northstar scares me. No reason to be timid about the Northstar; it's just another four stroke internal combustion heat machine. Quote Jim Drive your car. Use your cell phone. CHOOSE ONE ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnyjaws Posted February 18, 2011 Report Share Posted February 18, 2011 northstars have no rockers get another mechanic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott y Posted February 18, 2011 Report Share Posted February 18, 2011 Oh,what do they have? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimD Posted February 18, 2011 Report Share Posted February 18, 2011 northstars have no rockers get another mechanic These look like rockers (and rollers) to me..... Quote Jim Drive your car. Use your cell phone. CHOOSE ONE ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted February 18, 2011 Report Share Posted February 18, 2011 Jim, there is a hydraulic portion to the left in that photo, is that correct, could that 'lifter' be slightly collapsed, causing the tick? What do you think of an upper oil system cleaner like MMO (marval mystery oil)? Quote Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1 >> 1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/ Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnyjaws Posted February 18, 2011 Report Share Posted February 18, 2011 what motor pic is that of Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted February 18, 2011 Report Share Posted February 18, 2011 what motor pic is that of Are you speaking of the photo the Jim posted of the roller cam or my avatar? I dont know what year the engine in my avatar is from, all NSs from 2000 have the roller cam, Quote Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1 >> 1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/ Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimD Posted February 19, 2011 Report Share Posted February 19, 2011 Jim, there is a hydraulic portion to the left in that photo, is that correct, could that 'lifter' be slightly collapsed, causing the tick?[ Not called a lifter but I would have to look thru the posts from you-know-who to find the name. It's nothing more or less than a stationary pivot point for the rocker. What do you think of an upper oil system cleaner like MMO (marval mystery oil)? Aftermarket oil additives serve no functional purpose in modern (Starburst} engine oils and are not permitted within 100 yards of my vehicle. Quote Jim Drive your car. Use your cell phone. CHOOSE ONE ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted February 19, 2011 Report Share Posted February 19, 2011 Jim, winter is getting to you, LOL..you sound grumpy, To the left of the pivot point is a piece that is about 2 inches long that looks like a bullet, it looks like it has an oil feed and line for oil feeding at its middle, is THAT some sort of lifter that if collapsed would cause a TICK? Quote Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1 >> 1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/ Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimD Posted February 19, 2011 Report Share Posted February 19, 2011 No, no, Mike. That "bullet" is the pivot point. Think about what happens when the cam lobe forces the rocker arm down. Quote Jim Drive your car. Use your cell phone. CHOOSE ONE ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott y Posted February 19, 2011 Report Share Posted February 19, 2011 Jim, there is a hydraulic portion to the left in that photo, is that correct, could that 'lifter' be slightly collapsed, causing the tick?[ Not called a lifter but I would have to look thru the posts from you-know-who to find the name. It's nothing more or less than a stationary pivot point for the rocker. What do you think of an upper oil system cleaner like MMO (marval mystery oil)? Aftermarket oil additives serve no functional purpose in modern (Starburst} engine oils and are not permitted within 100 yards of my vehicle. Not even ACDELCO EOS?Especially on a pre 2000 Northstar... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimD Posted February 19, 2011 Report Share Posted February 19, 2011 Not even. Quote Jim Drive your car. Use your cell phone. CHOOSE ONE ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott y Posted February 19, 2011 Report Share Posted February 19, 2011 (edited) I thought or heard that the new oils,namely castrol gtx 10w30 doesn't have the necessary zinc enrichment to provide the Northstar...Shell Rotella 10w30 is my new oil,any thoughts? Edited February 19, 2011 by scott f Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnyjaws Posted February 19, 2011 Report Share Posted February 19, 2011 its a tappet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott y Posted February 19, 2011 Report Share Posted February 19, 2011 I used to run a mid grade,(Canadian Tire brand oil)for years, and it developed a tick almost like an old Chrysler, our local engine rebuilder stated to lose that oil and replace it with Castrol gtx 10w30 and add 1 bottle of Lucas oil stabilizer,he said it's a good product.I did and the tick went away,immediately. I don't use Lucas anymore but Ithink that it helped...Shell Rotella T 10w30 will be my next oil unless you recommend otherwise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott y Posted February 19, 2011 Report Share Posted February 19, 2011 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tappet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted February 19, 2011 Report Share Posted February 19, 2011 No, no, Mike. That "bullet" is the pivot point. Think about what happens when the cam lobe forces the rocker arm down. Ok, I see, Quote Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1 >> 1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/ Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimD Posted February 19, 2011 Report Share Posted February 19, 2011 I thought or heard that the new oils,namely castrol gtx 10w30 doesn't have the necessary zinc enrichment to provide the Northstar...Shell Rotella 10w30 is my new oil,any thoughts? Two thoughts. For your 2002 roller cam-follower engine, Starburst 5W-30 oil is equal to the job. For your 1994 and my 1998 engines, today's Starburst oils are a little short of the zinc (and other things) that were present in oils of the '90s. I do my own oil changes and my solution is to use four quarts of Rotella or Delvac 15W-40 plus three quarts of Starburst 10W-30. The final oil viscosity is approximately 12.8W-35.7. It works for me at 200,000+ miles. Quote Jim Drive your car. Use your cell phone. CHOOSE ONE ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsdouglas Posted February 20, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 20, 2011 What oil are you using? P0442 - Evaporative Emission (EVAP) System Small Leak Detected Your engine has direct acting roller cams. Is this a tick or a knock? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsdouglas Posted February 20, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 20, 2011 i believe it is a tick. does not sound like lower engine. just bought it a month ago. need to change oil. what do you think of Mobil one synthetic with matching filter? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted February 20, 2011 Report Share Posted February 20, 2011 I am not a fan of synthetic, but maybe its just me. Ill let others chime in who may be more objective. I have not had a good experience with it. If your NS came from the factory with synthetic, then I would say ok use it. But if it did not, I would be reluctant. I think that synthetic 'tends' to be thinner than the stated viscosity. I used it in my 91 4.9 on a trip, thinking I was giving my engine a 'treat' and it burned through synthetic like a sieve, I needed oil on that trip and needed over 2 quarts in 300 miles in 95 degree heat. It was ticking like mad when I pulled into the rest area... I was POd bigtime. Changed that synthetic out used DINO and NEVER had an oil problem again. We have had members say, their engine leaked like a sieve with synthetic. That is why I say, if it came from the factory with synthetic, ok but experiment. Listen to how your engine sounds with synethic (ticks, knocks, etc) vs dino, how is your oil consumption, etc... Quote Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1 >> 1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/ Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
93SixtySpecial Posted February 20, 2011 Report Share Posted February 20, 2011 For your 1994 and my 1998 engines, today's Starburst oils are a little short of the zinc (and other things) that were present in oils of the '90s. I do my own oil changes and my solution is to use four quarts of Rotella or Delvac 15W-40 plus three quarts of Starburst 10W-30. The final oil viscosity is approximately 12.8W-35.7. It works for me at 200,000+ miles. I wonder if I should be using a thicker oil with as many miles as I have on my 99. I use 10w-30 in the summer and 5w-30 in the winter (when it gets below 0). It's pretty noisy when I first start it in the morning, maybe I should be putting a little heavier oil in it. Quote -Dusty- 2006 Cadillac DTS Glacier Gold Tri-Coat with 175,000 miles 1993 Cadillac Sixty Special Gold Mist with 185,000 miles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimD Posted February 20, 2011 Report Share Posted February 20, 2011 That would be your call. But I would never put 5W anthing oil in a pre 2000 Northstar. Not even if I lived in Barrow, Alaska. Quote Jim Drive your car. Use your cell phone. CHOOSE ONE ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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