Rough idle, ticking sounds only when engine is idling?

JAYLON11

MEMBER
2013 CHEVROLET CAMARO
3.6L
V6
2WD
AUTOMATIC
169,000 MILES

After the car warms up, when idling (around 500 RPMs) check engine light, service Stabil Trak, and traction control lights all come on. Hear a ticking. All lights except engine light, go away when accelerating. Engine code only reads “misfire cylinder 6, ” I have changed all spark plugs and the coil pack on cylinder 6. Cleaned throttle body and replaced PCV valve.

7 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
42,968 POSTS

Can you upload a short video of the engine noise so we can hear it? The engine noise will be a different problem than the warning light issue so we will handle the engine problem in this post. Please make a new post for the Stabil Trak light problem. Also does the engine seem to misfire. It sounds like you have a flat camshaft or broken valve train on cylinder #6 we should do a compression test on #6 as well.

This guide will help us:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-engine-compression

This guide can show you the reason for the #6 low compression:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/the-reasons-for-low-compression

For the engine noise do you have fresh clean oil at the proper level? Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem.

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Tuesday, January 31st, 2023 AT 4:23 PM

JAYLON11

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4 POSTS

Let me start by saying I have minimal mechanic experience or knowledge. The car will be idling smooth, then it starts running really rough and all the lights I mentioned before come on immediately. If I start to accelerate, it runs smooth again with and lights go away except for the engine light. It does have a hard shift in the lower gears occasionally. But not frequent.
As for oil, it is at the proper level but I’ll get it changed. Supposedly only been about 2,000 miles on this change, but it was purchased used from an individual so who knows.
I have a cheap code reader, I’ve seen where I have an open loop fault when its doing it. Then I accelerate and it goes to closed loop and runs normal.
I'll upload some pics of the code reader info that I have and ill get a video of the noise ASAP.

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Wednesday, February 1st, 2023 AT 6:06 AM

KEN L

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Sounds good, does it give the option to scan the Stabil Trak? I want to see if the system has a code or if it is related to the engine problem, I has a thought it might be.

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Thursday, February 2nd, 2023 AT 1:40 PM

JAYLON11

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No, I don’t think it has that capability. I will get you that video as soon as I can. Sorry for the delay in that.

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Friday, February 3rd, 2023 AT 6:49 AM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
42,968 POSTS

Np, I have seen the fuel injector go out for that cylinder and cause the misfire issue FYI. Here is a guide to help check it and instructions on how to remove the fuel injector for testing:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-a-fuel-injector

Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.

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Friday, February 3rd, 2023 AT 1:38 PM

JAYLON11

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Just to preface, I bought this car used about 3 months ago. Upon closer inspection, it appears to have not been kept up well. There are several spots that look as tho they should have some bolt attached, but none... Silver tape around some of the electrical connections and so forth. I’ll add some pics and video. To clarify, cylinder 6 is on the driver's side closest to firewall. I ask because the ticking seems to be coming from drivers' side closest to firewall... Hopefully you can tell from video.

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Saturday, February 4th, 2023 AT 11:43 AM

KEN L

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Thanks for the video. Yep, then engine valve trains should like a lifter has collapsed or rocker has come part (roller bearings fell out) which will cause the misfire issue, the engine looks like it is running smoothly though so that a good sign. I would remove the valve cover to see how the rocker arms are. If they are okay the camshaft will need to be removed and the lifter replaced. Here is how to remove the valve cover for inspection. Check out the images (Below). Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem so I can help walk you through the repair.

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