Engine clatter at startup
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 192
Likes: 0
From: Egg Harbor Twp, NJ NJ
Engine clatter at startup
An Update to this is on the second page.
I'm starting to hear what sounds to me like valve lifter noise at startup after car has sat overnight. I've attached a short video to demo. The noise starts 30 sec after start and lasts for about 25 sec at which point I don,t hear it.
I'm curious why I don't hear it right away at startup.
I plan on taken it in to the dealer after the holidays, but I'm not sure they will be able to work the problem since it lasts a short time. Does anyone have any thoughts on whether or not it might be a lifter problem?
I'm starting to hear what sounds to me like valve lifter noise at startup after car has sat overnight. I've attached a short video to demo. The noise starts 30 sec after start and lasts for about 25 sec at which point I don,t hear it.
I'm curious why I don't hear it right away at startup.
I plan on taken it in to the dealer after the holidays, but I'm not sure they will be able to work the problem since it lasts a short time. Does anyone have any thoughts on whether or not it might be a lifter problem?
Last edited by redgb; Apr 1, 2008 at 01:33 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,563
Likes: 2
From: Dallas Tx
Could be a lifter. They should be able to fix that, it lasts long enough to indicate that it is more that just the lifters getting oil pressure. They get oil pressure in the first couple seconds. That tapping lasting that long indicates it's an issue, a lifter is a good probability. A mechanics stethescope will help pin point the noise.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,312
Likes: 82
From: Ridgeland MS
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11
Could be a lifter. They should be able to fix that, it lasts long enough to indicate that it is more that just the lifters getting oil pressure. They get oil pressure in the first couple seconds. That tapping lasting that long indicates it's an issue, a lifter is a good probability. A mechanics stethescope will help pin point the noise.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,254
Likes: 5
From: Anaheim Hills, Ca
That sounds like one bad lifter to me. Sometimes you'll get an immediate multi-lifter noise after startup then it should go away quickly, but one lifter making an announcement that long after startup is a "need to have fixed" item by the dealer.
And ya, the spikey hair reflection did make me flinch too!
And ya, the spikey hair reflection did make me flinch too!
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,283
Likes: 7
From: Hurst (Fort Worth area) Texas
St. Jude Donor '09
Perplexing, Jim... to say the least. I've never heard a lifter set up such a clatter so long after a "normal" start (but I don't get out much).
It would be good if you would post a 'report' on what the problem was and how it was fixed after you wrestle this to the ground.
Best of luck,
Rob
It would be good if you would post a 'report' on what the problem was and how it was fixed after you wrestle this to the ground.
Best of luck,
Rob
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,449
Likes: 371
From: Maryville TN
St. Jude Donor '06-13,'16-'17, '19
I had a 99 with piston slap and this is exactly what it sounded like. 
Do a Goggle search for "gm piston slap".
GM says that it won't hurt anything but it does sound like hell!
Tom
Do a Goggle search for "gm piston slap".GM says that it won't hurt anything but it does sound like hell!
Tom
Last edited by TCW; Dec 11, 2007 at 05:34 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 21,136
Likes: 212
From: Long Island New York
I think piston slap is more common with forged pistons,my Mustang had piston slap and you could hear all eight till it warmed up.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 192
Likes: 0
From: Egg Harbor Twp, NJ NJ
IThe spikey hair thing is the hat my 7 year old got from the ski shop. it's a hit with the second graders. The good thing is the car shines enough for us to see that.
I thought about piston slap but the bottom line is I've got to take it to the dealer.
I'll post the results after the holidays.
I thought about piston slap but the bottom line is I've got to take it to the dealer.
I'll post the results after the holidays.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,066
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From: Canonsburg home of Yenko Chevy (gone but not forgotten) Western PA
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,647
Likes: 1
From: Objects in your mirror are losing , Long Island, NY
St. Jude Donor '08
I was thinkin the same thing.. Mine also started making that noise as of yesterday, forum member 'Spinmonster' thinks it's the rocker arm needle bearing That has loosened up, or a bad header gasket, either way I am not moving my car till it's checked by the spin man..The sound from mine is definitely coming from the passenger side.
I can't take mine to dealer, have cam and dual springs.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 192
Likes: 0
From: Egg Harbor Twp, NJ NJ
engine clatter - what is being done
Instead of waiting untill after the holidayts, last Friday I took my car to the dealer and they called mid day. After talking to GM tech assistance, Detroit wants them to change the lifters in the engine.
I hate to have them tear the machine apart but I gave them the go ahead.
Suppose to get it back by the end of the week.
We will let you know if this solves the problem.
Read the manual and this is a big job.
I hate to have them tear the machine apart but I gave them the go ahead.
Suppose to get it back by the end of the week.
We will let you know if this solves the problem.
Read the manual and this is a big job.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Midlothian VA
My 04 makes the same noises until it fully warms up. I had zero luck with GM owning up to the problem. The only thing I was offered was an extended warranty for 5 years and 60k miles. If it wasn't for the fact the engine burns no oil and quites down after it's warmed up, I would have driven the damn thing right through the front door of the show room and let them deal with that.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,307
Likes: 111
From: Tucson AZ
Most engine clearances are measured in thousandths (.001), but hydraulic lifter internal clearances are in the ten thousandths (.0001). It is fairly common to have a lifter with excessive clearance that takes some extra time to pump up. Sometimes just a thicker viscosity oil will quiet it down.
Be thankful for the warranty, if you had this come out of your pocket it would be a difficult decision.
Be thankful for the warranty, if you had this come out of your pocket it would be a difficult decision.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 45,421
Likes: 892
From: Texas
CI 1-4-5-8-9-10 Vet
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '10, '17
Most engine clearances are measured in thousandths (.001), but hydraulic lifter internal clearances are in the ten thousandths (.0001). It is fairly common to have a lifter with excessive clearance that takes some extra time to pump up. Sometimes just a thicker viscosity oil will quiet it down.
Be thankful for the warranty, if you had this come out of your pocket it would be a difficult decision.
Be thankful for the warranty, if you had this come out of your pocket it would be a difficult decision.
