Engine Knock when Alero first starts up...

2000 3.4 GL Alero
70k Mileage

When I first start my ALero in the mornings she starts fine but there is a knocking in the engine on the drivers side. It only lasts for about 1 minute until the car warms up and then goes away.

I thought I saw somewhere before someone said this might be the "lifters"....does that sound about right?

If so is that a big job to get done?

Thanks

Tones

Mine did the same thing until I put some oil treatment in to dissolve carbon buildup. Sorry I don't remember the name, but there's a lot of products out there that you put in your oil that do the same thing. I had to put it in twice (over two oil changes) before my tapping went away.

Could be piston slap and there is not much you can do about it. Common in GM 3400 engines regardless of mileage. It normally disappears after about a minute or so.

What is a "piston slap" and how serious is that for the condition if the engine?

Visit www.pistonslap.com for further insight.