Noisy start-up, Ticking while idling

macintob

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2012 GS with 2500Km's on it. On a cold start the engine has a roar coming from what sounds like the air intake system, after about 30seconds a valve must open because you can hear it chattering and then the noise stops and the engine smooths out. All is well for less than 1 min. and then there is a ticking sound about every second as the engine idles. tick.....tick......tick...etc. anyone had this experience, doesn't seem normal to me.
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2012 GS with 2500Km's on it. On a cold start the engine has a roar coming from what sounds like the air intake system, after about 30seconds a valve must open because you can hear it chattering and then the noise stops and the engine smooths out. All is well for less than 1 min. and then there is a ticking sound about every second as the engine idles. tick.....tick......tick...etc. anyone had this experience, doesn't seem normal to me.
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I have the once per second tick as well. I listened to 2 other 2012 GSs and they both have the same soft tick. Also heard the same noise on a 2013 Verano Turbo. The tick seems loudest near the oil filter area, but I doubt that the oil filter is the source of the noise. I asked the service manager at the local dealership about it and he replied that -no surprise- "all the turbos make that noise."
 
I also have the ticking sound coming from mine and have had it since new. I'm not worried about it at all and for the louder start up.. I have a exhaust on my GS and you will notice especially on a cold start up that the car will keep the rpm's up on idle for at least probably 15-20 seconds. I hope that makes you feel a little better about the ticking sound? If everyone hears it, it's not a problem it's just a GM for ya!:blink:
 
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my car has the ticking - i chalk it up to DI.

also have the other sound also, assuming it's a fan or intake, etc.
 
Thanks guys,

It sounds like these are generic characteristics, I had suspected they were but a second and third opinion is fantastic, when I take it for its first oil change I,ll tell them to have a listen.
 
The DI motors have two fuel injector pulses on start up and they create that noisy start up condition. I believe they do this to get the converter up to temp quicker. Mine ticks too, so I am not worried as it doesn't sound like a lifter tick, my G8 had the tick from a lifter and it definitely sounds different.
 
All DI engines have the diesel valve tick at idle. I haven't noticed it that much with the Ecotec 2.0T, though. For example, on the new BMW 328, it's pretty loud at idle and sounds like a diesel. The 3.6 DI in the Cadillac ATS sounds similar as well.
 
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My 2011 turbo has this tick. Definitely not a lifter, but just as loud sometimes. No clue what it could be.
 
I recently brought mine to the dealer for this same issue and he assures me its normal. Someone told me its an air pump that saves gas when cold.
 
The cold startup "roar" is the AIR (air injection reaction) pump blowing air into the exhaust manifold to help light off the cats, you can hear this on most cars.
 
You'd think cars would get quieter, not louder. Mine has the tick as well. Can't hear it all in the cabin though.
 
the pressure regulation valve on the high pressure pump for the GDi system is the source of the ticking. The fuel injectors are also louder than non GDi engines. Sometimes you might also hear the Evaporative emission purge regulator valve cycling on and off making a clicking noise.
 
My wife's 2012 Buick Regal Turbo has the same tick. I believed it was a valve tick but I noticed somone on these posts mentioned the high pressure fuel pump ticking. I don't know for sure yet but if I figure it out I"ll come back and post it.

The water pump failed and I opted to replace it myself ( I'm a better than good home garage mechanic) If you attempt to do this be warned, it's not easy in the garage underneath the car. First off you'll need a lock up tool so you don't loose the timing since the water pump is tied into the timing chain. Then you must remove the head pipe from the exhaust and try to get it out of the way. Then you need to remove the thermostat housing and the pipe connecting it to the water pump. All of this while lying on your back or sitting on top of the engine in order to squeeze your hands down inside to do it.
Reassembling the pump, pipe and thermostat housing is just as bad as taking it apart. I was lucky after installing the new pump and gaskets on the flow pipe I didn't have any leaks, but I warned my wife that if it did she would have to take it to a garage and have it done.
Yeah, it's that bad.
 
Had to have my High pressure fuel pump replaced around 50k miles. Dealership warrantied it out because the ticking was so loud. As its broken in Im sitting at 110k now and it starting to do the diesel tick sounds the same... Not as loud but while at idle you can hear it. If you do the 2ft socket extension trick and put it on the pump and hold it to your ear you'll hear it. same trick works around the engine if you suspect something else. Im not worried about it seems to be normal for these cars as I read more and more.
 
I just got a 2017 buick encore and it ticks all the time! Only 38000 miles on it. I feel like I got a bad deal or just plain ripped off. Had super buyers remorse and still recovering.
 
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