03 Malibu Clicking when cold

We have a 2003 Malibu, 3.1 liter engine that when first started makes a loud ticking noise until it has warmed up (7 to 10 minutes run time in 55 degree weather). It started doing it over the winter and has gradually gotten louder and takes more warm up to go away.

Suggestions as to where to start looking?

Lifters, rockers, sticking valve, flat cam lobe?

Thanks gang.

Where do you live and what Oil Do you use 5-20w 10-30w 10-40w 20-50w etc. etc. when it hits the temp.
:popcorn:

The clicking is standard equipment on the 3.1 engine. It's not quite as quiet as the ones you saw driving back and forth across the TV screen with the baby in the backseat falling asleep, is it. My mechanic - not at the dealer - tells me that there is temporary play while two different metals are heating up. I forget where, perhaps the connecting rod. It's been with me since 2000. It's annoying though, when the car is all spiffed up and shiny, and then it goes clicking down the road.

What type of oil do you use

We're running 5W20 for the oil. The car is in Utah and typically runs at 5,300 feet altitude and may vary between 3,500 feet and 7,500 feet on cross country trips about the state. Did I mention that it has about 48,000 miles on it?

Thanks.

How cold does it get there and how hot does it get there and hows the weather usually

In the winter we can go down to -20 and summers can go over 100 degrees faharenheit. The mid range is 20 degrees F to about 86 degrees F. Just this past week we had 32 degrees and snow on Wednesday to 86 degrees and warm dry sun on Saturday. Average winter temps are 20 to 40 degrees F and average summer temps are 70 to 90 degrees F.

Local fuel stops change their gasoline blends typically in the April/May time frame for summer and September/October for winter. No alcohol or other special fuel boosters are used in our county for winter smog control, etc.

In our other vehicles a good multi-vis oil (5w20, 5w30, 10w30) handles the temperature extremes pretty well, except on the very coldest days when even kerosene would be too thick.

This is acutally my car and my father has been helping with getting answers. I have received advice that it could be a lifter that needs help or a valve sticking. Any ideas?