Chevy S10 2.2L 4cyl engine ticking noise - any ideas/thoughts/clues?

[Barry Babcock]

1997 S-10 2.2L 2wd--

I'm having a hard time tracking down this annoying ticking noise, so I thought I would run
it up the flagpole as they say...

It sounds a bit like a rattling valve, and it only makes the noise after the truck has had
a few minutes to warm up.

So that's what got checked first-- took the valve cover off and watched the engine run.
All the valves appeared to be operating perfectly, and the noise wasn't any louder with the
cover off. Revved it a few times, but the valves still seemed to be working fine and didn't
seem to be the source of the noise. Also the rockers weren't striking the cover 'cause the
noise could still be heard with the cover off.

The next thought was the fan assembly- removed that, ran the engine and still heard the
ticking noise.

Next - Removed the serpentine belt and ran the engine without accessories. No joy. Noise
was still there.

Last - Screwdriver test - put a long screwdriver on the engine and various components and
listened at the handle, hoping to narrow down where it was coming from... the results of
that were at best inconclusive...

I'm not sure where to go from here- maybe the little engines in the S10's just normally make
this noise when they're warm, this is really the only one I've listened to closely- but it
sure is annoying.

Any suggestions/ideas/experience with this?

Thanks mucho
=Barry=

[Jonathan French]

I've got a 95 sunfire 2.2. I'm not sure if it's the same exact engine or
not but I've got a ticking noise too. I took it in to get looked at and
they said it was just valve noise. Has it been doing it ever since you got
it? Is it used??

Barry Babcock <ba...@hobbit.stortek.com> wrote in message
news:Pine.GSO.4.05.990503...@hobbit.stortek.com...

[Sofarot]

Go talk to your friendly local chevy dealer, there is a service bulltein
concern ticking noises. One possiblesource of the noise is a worn timing chain,
the other is piston slap.

[EricKlapin]

>4cyl engine ticking noise - any ideas/thoughts/clues?
any sparks that may be jumping from plug wires to engine or body will cause a
noticeable tick noise....try peeking under the hood at night with all the
lights out maybe you will see a tell tell spark or two.
lot of luck
Eric

[carlos....@gmail.com]

My 95 Chevy s10 makes a clicking noise when I try turning it on. After a few tries it does turn on and drives normal. It does this sometimes not all the time. It seems that it does it when is cold and once I’ve run it for little while it turn on normal. I have replaced the starter and a bad battery post and it’s still doing it. Any advise or has anyone come across this issue with your Chevy s10?