Major problem with my Grand Prix

I have a 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix GT and there's something going on with it bad. When I start the car the motor is ticking bad. As soon as I drive it for like 10 or 15 miles though the ticking noise goes away. Does anybody have any ideas? Do I need a new motor? Please help

No you don't need a new engine. It sounds like you have a lifter that is leaking down when the engine is shut off. The ticking you hear is the lifter itself. Once you drive a few miles the lifter returns to normal and the noise goes away. I suggest that you check your oil to make sure it is at the proper level. Sometimes a ticking lifter can indicate that your oil is low. Otherwise it is just an annoyance not a major problem.

in addition to GTP Dad's suggestion, try putting some CD-2, Seafoam or Marvels Mystery oil in. If you let your oil changes slide a bit, or use Pennzoil, you may just have some sludge clogging the lifter up. The CD-2 fixed a friends van that was doing the same thing. It's cheap and easy and won't harm anything even if it doesn't fix it, it's worth a try. DO NOT use an engine flush (the type you put in just before changing your oil and let it run 5-10 minutes). Those chemicals actually break down the lubricity of the oil and can do MAJOR engine damage. The add-in detergents I listed above stay in and you let it run for the life of the oil change.

in addition to GTP Dad's suggestion, try putting some CD-2, Seafoam or Marvels Mystery oil in. If you let your oil changes slide a bit, or use Pennzoil, you may just have some sludge clogging the lifter up. The CD-2 fixed a friends van that was doing the same thing. It's cheap and easy and won't harm anything even if it doesn't fix it, it's worth a try. DO NOT use an engine flush (the type you put in just before changing your oil and let it run 5-10 minutes). Those chemicals actually break down the lubricity of the oil and can do MAJOR engine damage. The add-in detergents I listed above stay in and you let it run for the life of the oil change.

Thanks for your help guys. The car is doing alot better. First I put in a bottle of lucas and a can of seafoam and that is helping because now the lifter is starting to unstick itself. Hopefully it goes away for good.

thanks for the feedback, we like hearing good results!