2004 Pontiac Grand Prix gtp ticking noise

RSTROB

MEMBER
2004 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
3.8L
6 CYL
TURBO
FWD
AUTOMATIC
170,000 MILES

My car is making a ticking noise. It is not a "knock" it is a tick.
It does not happen at idle. It happens when accelerating at around 1500 rpm.
My husband has listened with a stethoscope and cannot locate the noise other than to say it sounds like it's coming from the top and that its not a lifter.
My father seems to think its coming from the passenger side of the motor and stated that he thinks it may be an exhaust manifold leak?

Do you have any advise on where to start? The car runs perfectly fine. Oil level is great and was recently changed. I bought the car used and they had just replaced the intake gasket due to an oil leak.

1 Reply

HMAC300

MECHANIC
48,601 POSTS

Ticking noises are normally lifters or exhaust and sometimes pistons. I'd kind of lean towards lifters however. They may be dirty or worn out. When you change oil put a quart of trans fluid in engine in place of engine oil that may clean it up. If it's an exhaust leak prior to converter it may set a code. Without hearing it that is about all I can advise at the moment. Unless a rocker arm has loosened due to the intake manifold gaskets. For rocker arm torque use thread locker on bolts. Torque to 11 ft. Lbs and then an additional 90 degrees. The bolts are meant to be used one time otherwise they won't tighten down correctly.