Sticky Lifter??

2000 Blazer 72000 miles
I heard a loud ticking noise about 1 week ago when i started up. But it goes away after its ran for a few min and only does it after not ran for a couple of hours. It has been pretty cold so the engine cools down pretty fast. I took to a garage and they cleaned of the idler pulley and put a new belt on they only a little squiking noise not the ticking so they thought they fixed it when i started it up in the lot it still made the noise so the took he took the belt off to try and narrow it down and it still made the noise. He said that it sounds like i have a sticking lifter. We then did a can of engine flush and an oil change still not better. He said the it really won't hurt anything but if it doesn't go away after a couple of oil changes to replace the lifters. approx 1000 dollers. Looking for some advice and possible solutions.

What oil and filter are you using?

don't know filter, Quaker State 5-W30

the noise is also noticeably louder under the car than under the hood.

Well no need to replace all lifers just because one is making a little noise. You can replace just the one if you can narrow it down. Also I had one that made a little noise when it was cold but after changing to Mobile 1 synthetic it quit. Also a good filter with a quality anti-drainback valve helps in keeping oil in the top end when you shut the engine off. I perfer Wix filter myself, but there are others, just don't use Fram.

Also have you ever had any problems from your lower manifold gasket? One tell tell sign of them leaking is a noisy lifter. Might want to invest in a used oil analysis on the next change, they can tell ALOT of info about whats going on inside an engine. Only 20.00 and money well spent if it catches an internal engine problem before it gets out of hand.

Blackstone Laboratories (http://www.blackstone-labs.com/)

My first symptom of the lower intake manifold gasket leaking was a single valve tap on cold morning start up (Also a 2000 Blazer) at about 76,000 miles. Just replaced the gasket and all the lifters (just to be safe) and was darn glad I didn't ruin the main bearings. Engine runs smooth and quiet now. I wouldn't be so much worried about the tap as the possibility of the gasket leaking which can ruin your engine if it goes undetected for too long. The used oil analysis suggested above is a great idea and in the meantime keep a very close watch on your coolant reservoir. My leak started out very small and stayed that way for a long time, the whole time leaking crap into the crankcase. Of course, if you just go ahead and replace the lifter now that will take care of the potential gasket issue, which is likely to fail eventually anyway even if it's not leaking now.

Can you get a used oil analysis anywhere or only at some places??
How many miles should i drive until i get this analysis to get a reliable test??
Would i have to specify that i want the gasket replaced also or would they
automaticly do it when replaceing all the lifters??

Also after haveing the oil change and engine flush then driving back home approx 1hr30min their was no noise this morning or at lunch.

To get to the lifters the intake manifold has to come off so the gasket will get replaced

I would suggest that if the temps are cold enough to try either mobil1 or castrol 0W-30. Mobil1 first choice. Easier starts and the thinner oil may get to places the thicker oil can't and either remove some sludge or just make it up there. You can also do an engine flush like I did or go with BlazerLT's other method that takes a few thousand miles and some oil changes.

Can you get a used oil analysis anywhere or only at some places??
How many miles should i drive until i get this analysis to get a reliable test??
Would i have to specify that i want the gasket replaced also or would they
automaticly do it when replaceing all the lifters??

Also after haveing the oil change and engine flush then driving back home approx 1hr30min their was no noise this morning or at lunch.

Blackstone Labratories in Fort Wayne IN can do it for $20, and they send all the stuff you need. It doesn't take long after a fresh oil change to be able to send off a sample. You can order they're kit of the web. Google 'em to find 'em..