Ticking lifters?

dan34yo · Post by **dan34yo** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 1:17 pm

I have a ticking on my 2000 S10 when i first start it and when the engine is cold then will go away. The ticking goes faster when i give it gas. Is it the lifters? What about the serpentine belt? Please help....Dan

F9K9 · Post by **F9K9** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 1:38 pm

My '97 always did it and my '02 does it now. It goes away and I always thought it was normal and goes away when the oil gets flowing good.

I could be wrong so, maybe someone can chime in here

BobbleSmitty · Post by **BobbleSmitty** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 2:29 pm

I used to have that problem with my 91 Lebaron! I just bought some stuff up at the local autoparts store that said "quites noisy lifters." I don't remember the name of it, but its something that you add to the oil. It always did the trick!

top_sgt · Post by **top_sgt** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 2:39 pm

it's called GM engineering......GM engines are notorious for lifters clicking when first started cold. if it does click once warm.....then it needs looked at!!
my '04 crew hasn't started yet....i have a bout 23000 miles on it...but i suspect it will by 40 or 50,000miles.
some engine additives do help with this...but i do not know of any specific brands. IMO the STP additives are not that good!! there is something called BG oil treatment that works good,, but the only place i've seen it is at dealerships. most of the additives have to be added at oil changes...but then that cheaper that engine work!!!!

jeff024 · Post by **jeff024** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 2:44 pm

maybe try some Lucas

F9K9 · Post by **F9K9** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 2:59 pm

I'm at 14K on the '02 and it did it from 600 miles. Most people wouldn't even notice it but, us infected with paranoia do

Rusty Shackleford · Post by **Rusty Shackleford** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 3:00 pm

My '02 (29,000 miles) ticks all the damn time...checked all exhaust gaskets & connections, made sure the parking brake cable wasnt rattling against anything then I finally thought I had found the source as my belt tensioner was ticking loudly. I replaced the tensioner and it helped a bit but alas...the ticking still persists....and it is driving me crazy(er).

Jim · Post by **Jim** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 3:29 pm

No ticks here Mobil 1 since 10,000 now at 33,000

jeff024 · Post by **jeff024** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 3:39 pm

I also only use mobil 1 synthic and mobil 1 oil filters

snocat1 · Post by **snocat1** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 4:14 pm

what for gas do you use? not natural

F9K9 · Post by **F9K9** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 4:52 pm

jeff024 wrote:I also only use mobil 1 synthic and mobil 1 oil filters

Same here and I use Shell 89 octane. I think this is being blown out of proprtion

To me it is normal start up and it is until the lifters get "filled up". Rarely more than 30 seconds

Post by **HenryJ** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 6:25 pm

dan34yo wrote:I have a ticking on my 2000 S10 when i first start it and when the engine is cold then will go away. The ticking goes faster when i give it gas. Is it the lifters?

I'd go with the lifters theory. You may be experiencing lifter bleed down.

Try a better brand , or different brand of oil filter. The one you are using may not have , or has a poorly sealing back flow prevention valve.

This is the rubber that you see when you look through the little holes in the top of the filter. It keeps the oil from draining back to the pan when the engine shuts off.

It is worth a try.

SONOMA915 · Post by **SONOMA915** » Thu Oct 27, 2005 5:09 am

I have 32000 miles and no ticking. I use royal purple oil and oem oil filters. I have never had any vehicles that had lifter tick, including my 69 vw beetle.

killian96ss · Post by **killian96ss** » Thu Oct 27, 2005 8:35 am

dan34yo, what brand and weight of oil are you using? What oil filter are you using? I always use Mobil One 10/30 synthetic 15k mile formula, and K&N oil filters. Possible causes for you ticking problem would be the lifters, an exhaust leak, or maybe even a rocker arm that is slightly out of adjustment. I would first try changing to a better oil and filter. If that doesn't work start trying to isolate where the noise seem to be coming from. Sometimes exhaust leaks are the loudest when the engine is cold, but seem to go away when it warms up. This is due to the thermal expansion of the heads and exhaust when they heat up. If you still can't find the problem then I would try adjusting the rocker arms if you know how. A rocker arm can get really noisy even if it's only 1/4 turn out of adjustment. A noisy rocker arm is most noticeable on a cold engine, but the noise will appear to go away when the engine gets warm. This is due to thermal expansion of the metals in the valve train. If you want instructions on how to adjust rocker arms let us know. I have done it on at least 20 different engines and I'm sure there are others on this site that have done it also.

Steve

quickbiker · Post by **quickbiker** » Thu Oct 27, 2005 4:06 pm

I use the cheapest 10-30w I can find every 6-7k miles. No probo.

bwenny247 · Post by **bwenny247** » Thu Oct 27, 2005 4:31 pm

does your radio still work?
.
.
.
.
turn the nob a few clicks to the right, that noise should go away

jeff024 · Post by **jeff024** » Thu Oct 27, 2005 6:41 pm

owners manual calls for 5w30

daevans315 · Post by **daevans315** » Fri Oct 28, 2005 6:42 am

I do concur... Its just the lifters bleeding off and as long as they pump back up in the first 10 to 30 seconds of running its not a big deal.

My 97 and my 02 4.3 both tap occasionally on startup. Seems to happen more as I get closer to needing an oil change.
I've been running 10w30 Caterpillar diesel engine oil from spring through fall in both since the factory warranty ran out. Cat doesn't make a 5w30 so for the 'winter' oil change I pick up something else in 5w30.

Now my 283 in my 64 Impala will get sticky valves after sitting all winter and make a simular noise on first startup in the spring. If it doesn't stop after the first few mins I just poor a VERY thin stream of ATF down the carb while keeping the motor at about 3,000 RPM's. It smokes like a SOB but it cures the sticky valves after just a couple table spoons.

dan34yo · Post by **dan34yo** » Fri Oct 28, 2005 4:05 pm

Thanks for all the replys!!! Im using the cheap Valvoline 5w30. What about the A/C delco oil filter? Would synthetic help? This noise is driving me crazy and i bet its driving my neibors crazy also at 6 oclock in the morning. Thanks again....Dan

Post by **HenryJ** » Fri Oct 28, 2005 4:26 pm

dan34yo wrote:...Im using the cheap Valvoline ...

WHEW! That brings back nasty memories

Sorry to offend any Valvoline diehards, but you can smell a Valvoline engine being torn down all the way across the shop!

There is a stink that comes from them that is undescribable

and the gunky deposits are just embarrasing. I used to believe in Valvoline until I started rebuilding engines. I haven't used the stuff since the early eighties.

top_sgt · Post by **top_sgt** » Sat Oct 29, 2005 9:56 am

having been a mechanic...........i DO NOT use valvoline for anything!!!!!

the stories i could about engines gone bad with valvoline!!!!!!

SONOMA915 · Post by **SONOMA915** » Sat Oct 29, 2005 10:19 am

I am also a mechanic and i wouldn't put valvoline in my lawn mower. Sorry Valvoline fans

killian96ss · Post by **killian96ss** » Sat Oct 29, 2005 11:01 am

Valvoline oil does suck, but they do have other products which are superior to most like there synthetic DOT 4 brake fluid, synthetic carb cleaner, synthetic fuel injector cleaner, and semi synthetic power steering fluid. For the price there is not a better brake fluid out there than the Valvolline synthetic. For some reason Valvoline has never figured out how to make quality motor oil, even though they have been around for a long time.

Steve

dan34yo · Post by **dan34yo** » Sat Oct 29, 2005 2:32 pm

I guess I'll be doing an oil change this weekend. Ok, what about the A/C Delco oil filter and what kind of sythetic should i use to quiet these lifters.

jeff024 · Post by **jeff024** » Sat Oct 29, 2005 3:38 pm

Mobil 1
Royal purple
Amsoil

Post by **HenryJ** » Sun Oct 30, 2005 7:21 am

dan34yo wrote:Ok, what about the A/C Delco oil filter and what kind of sythetic should i use to quiet these lifters.

AC Delco filters are probably OK. I use NAPA (WIX) , there are many reviews on filters. Visually inspect it to make sure the seal and valve are correct and intact.

Personally on the synthetic oil, I don't believe it is going to be much of an advantage for a higher mileage engine. It is fine to switch for an engine that is in relatively good shape, and sees lots of mileage, or extreme use. By extreme use I mean heat, not dirt.

For dusty dirty conditions there is no substitute for regular oil and filter changes.

The synthetic can be an advantage and offer longer oil change intervals. It is the additives that break down and need to be replentished. Some of the synthetics may last longer.

There are hundreds of opinions on oil. You need to do what makes sense for you. Synthetic may not be cost effective in some situations.

I have used Castrol for years. The engine in my HenryJ is a great test bed. 15:1 compression overdriven, regularly runs 220 on the street. Redlines 7500 rpm. That engine has been torn down and rebuilt five times. The bearings never have needed to be replaced. They were of course, but everything still looks brand new inside.

On the other side of the spectrum. I tried Castrol's Syntech oil in my old trucks high mileage 2.8L. It did work well, but no better than "dino oil" eventually the engine was so weak and leaking oil that it was replaced. I didn't really see any benefit from the time I ran synthetic in it.

There are only a couple oils that I avoid. One is Valvoline, the other is the no name recycled oil. One stinks and the other I just don't trust for consistency.

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Ticking lifters?

Ticking lifters?

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