Tapping noise in Engine at Start UP
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 774
Likes: 0
From: Grand Prairie Texas
Tapping noise in Engine at Start UP
I've detected a tapping noise in my engine when I start it up. My wife says she's been hearing it for a while of course she didn't think it was necessary to mention it. If it's something that can be taken care of without too much trouble I'd like to get it done asap as I'm having a knee replacement done on Monday and will be down for a while. Any help will be greatly appreciated. :seeya
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 767
Likes: 1
From: Noble OK
Re: Tapping noise in Engine at Start UP (leonm47)
You might try doing an oil change, making sure to use a good synthetic oil like Mobil 1. Hopefully it's just a sticking lifter and nothing worse like a excess play in the bottom of the motor.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 11,535
Likes: 115
From: Arlington TX
Re: Tapping noise in Engine at Start UP (leonm47)
Probably just the lifters pumping up with oil. Nothing to worry about, mine does it sometimes. As long as it goes away in a few seconds there should be nothing wrong, if a lifter goes bad it will tick all the time.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 666
Likes: 0
From: Oviedo FL
Re: Tapping noise in Engine at Start UP (leonm47)
The tapping could be a number of things. It may be just fuel injector noise, rod knock a failing lifter. Have a reptuable mechanic listen to the noise and he can probably tell you if it is something to worry about.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 353
Likes: 11
From: long beach ca
Re: Tapping noise in Engine at Start UP (leonm47)
Like the others said sounds like a lifter thats slow to pump up. If it go's away after a minute or so you don't have anything to worry about. If it is continuous then you need to have it checked out. Chould be a number of things.
Pro
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 690
Likes: 0
From: Cave Creek Arizona
Re: Tapping noise in Engine at Start UP (leonm47)
I have had the same situation with my '02. Tapping noise at startup and subsiding as the engine warms up. I have seen previous threads on this and have read about it it magazines; it appears to be common with nothing to worry about.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,040
Likes: 0
From: Collin County Texas
Re: Tapping noise in Engine at Start UP (Casselvette)
Just be glad you do not have a Ford Explorer. My '98 on a cold morning startup sounds as if it is going to come apart. Of course, Ford says that is "normal" on cold mornings!
My '02 Vette has had a slight tapping on startup since new. It is not any worse after 10K miles.
My '02 Vette has had a slight tapping on startup since new. It is not any worse after 10K miles.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 46,765
Likes: 5
From: Boynton Beach Florida
St. Jude Donor '07-'12, '20
Re: Tapping noise in Engine at Start UP (leonm47)
Same noise in my car at start-up since day one. Now have 41,000 miles no issues, GM says normal condition. Don't loose any sleep over it.
Bob
Bob
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Racer
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 312
Likes: 11
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Re: Tapping noise in Engine at Start UP (leonm47)
I have a 2001, 49k on it, and I do run it hard and change the oil every 4-5,000 miles. I have a similar sound upon start-up or a cold engine. Mine has be diagnoised at the BG plant as "piston slap", but after everything warms to operating temp it is fine. If in doubt have the dealer document the problem, so that you might have some background on the problem at a later date.
:yesnod:
:yesnod:
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 4,010
Likes: 1
From: SE Idaho
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Tapping noise in Engine at Start UP (FL1BY)
I have a 2001, 49k on it, and I do run it hard and change the oil every 4-5,000 miles. I have a similar sound upon start-up or a cold engine. Mine has be diagnoised at the BG plant as "piston slap", but after everything warms to operating temp it is fine. If in doubt have the dealer document the problem, so that you might have some background on the problem at a later date.
:yesnod:
:yesnod:
The piston will slap due to clearance with the cylinder wall until it heats up and expands; then it magically disappears until the next cold startup.
[Modified by WhiteC5Vette, 8:04 PM 5/29/2003]
