1998 4.0 "Knocks/Tics"

We were down to 11 below 0 this AM. I started the car and backed it out to let it warm up a while before we drove to town. I noticed knocking sound in it, however it went away after warming up. It was not a loud knock or hard sounding either. Rather a softer/quieter knock.

Also, after I have driven and it is well warmed up there is an intermittent ticking sound from the engine. I say intermittent because it does not have a continual "Beat" or "rhythm" to it.

Any thoughts? Oil is 10w30 Valvoline and just changed about 1,500 miles ago. Car has 76,000 on it.

Both noises cannot be heard inside the car as they are not that loud. You have to stand where it is quiet to hear them. Thank you.

I experienced the tapping noise at startup, added one quart of a full synthic and it stopped. Running durablend Valvoline and one quart synthic, no knocks or taps.

I experienced the tapping noise at startup, added one quart of a full synthic and it stopped. Running durablend Valvoline and one quart synthic, no knocks or taps.


Ok. The tapping noise on mine is occuring after warm up. A light knocking is heard when cold. A friend of mine has a Caddy with the Northstar -talk about knocks/ratttles. Wow. At 83 grand it is somewhat noisy and he keeps the oil changed every 3.

Are you keeping the same viscosity weight as well?

:sunglasse The knocking happens on my 97. After warming up a little bit then driving, when coming to a light or idling, I hear the knock but its only a few times then it stops. It happened in the warmer weather & has happend this winter also. Took it to an oldsmobile dealership and they looked it over and gave me the lame answer I did not want to hear...
This is the way the car is....Not good enough due to my experiences at the stealership and fighting with them over things they mess up on and diagnose incorrectly. Coud this be a KNOCK SENSOR? Tried a few different things knock still there for years but minor. Or maybe it is just the way the AURORA is? Thanks. :smokin:

:sunglasse The knocking happens on my 97. After warming up a little bit then driving, when coming to a light or idling, I hear the knock but its only a few times then it stops. It happened in the warmer weather & has happend this winter also. Took it to an oldsmobile dealership and they looked it over and gave me the lame answer I did not want to hear...
This is the way the car is....Not good enough due to my experiences at the stealership and fighting with them over things they mess up on and diagnose incorrectly. Coud this be a KNOCK SENSOR? Tried a few different things knock still there for years but minor. Or maybe it is just the way the AURORA is? Thanks. :smokin:


Interesting. I listened to a 98 Caddy Coupe D'ville and its northstar was, well, noisy with the hood up. I was really surprised it had so many clattering sounds. It is well maintained too. LOF every 3,000 and not beat with 84,000.

Some of these ticking noises are coming from both of the serpentine belts. It is intermittent and is not from the engine itself. Weird???

Some of these ticking noises are coming from both of the serpentine belts. It is intermittent and is not from the engine itself. Weird???

Yes the slight clicking sound was also also was in effect during a past maint. repair coming from the serpentine belt area mainly when idling then in park/lights, signs. At first, could not tell where it was coming from at first. Checked it out & it was the Tensioner was wobbly, belt ok. Had them both replaced cost$ 344 bucks...(mostly covered) deductible payment though...This was for Belt/P.M. also Tensioner labor tax etc. at dealership. I like the Aurora so much that I purchased a warranty that covers everything(fully loaded) for the next 3 years instead of buying a new car. Fun to drive at night also when everthing lights up and your kicking up the rpm's on the open highway during the late night hrs & there are hardly any drivers out.