lifter tap?

Hey everyone its me again the guy with the dex prob.... The car has been holding the dex for 2 weeks now..... Since the weather here in n.y. has been warming up when i go start my car in the morning the lifters tap really bad for a min. max then it stops and it won't do it the rest of the day i just had my oil done a thousand miles ago and the level is fine. i have no idea why its doing this but i want to see what everyone has to say and what does everyone think about lucas oil or some other additive? Thanks...... Joe...

For the benefit of members that might weigh-in always post your year, engine size and mileage on these issues.

Assuming you have the 3400 SFI engine did you have the LIM gaskets replaced? As long as the noise disappears around a minute or so there is not much you can do about it since at one time or another the 3400 is subject to piston slap and technically it may not be lifter noise. A collapsed or bad lifter normally stays noisy.

i'm sorry about that its a v6 and its a 2000 with 106,000 on the clock. Would the LIM cause engine noise like a lifter tap?

HELLO, i agree with NAYLOR but if its a lifter leaking down when engine is off & then takes a min to pump up after started.then it would be a lifter problem & an oil additive may help.GOOD LUCK

Would the LIM cause engine noise like a lifter tap?

I asked the question to see if it was ever replaced because maybe the rockers were not installed properly or improperly torqued which could cause lifter noise. The LIM gaskets or LIM would not cause the noise unless it was previously worked on. It sounds more like the piston slap issue to me which is very common on the 3400 engine and may get worse with mileage. Important part is it should disappear after around 1 to 2 minutes after engine starts warming up.

No it hasn't been replaced yet but i think it might have to because i was losing dex with no sign of it leaking or mixing and someone said it could be that its leaking and vaporizing in the cat. but i don't know i have a appt. with my mech. on fri. just wanna make sure its o.k. to drive till then. do you guys think it could be gunk build up in the oil pump?

Useing a good oil filter with an anti drainback valve could help keep more oil in the galleys for start up. I have 180,000 on my 3.4 and if I don't use this type of filter, it will also rattle.

On the typical LIM gasket issue the coolant gets consumed in combustion and it may damage the CAT converter so get it taken care of as soon as possible. The mechanic can run a cooling system pressure leak down test. But since they have never been replaced best to do so with the GM revised LIM gaskets and revised torquing procedure or an aftermarket FelPro gasket kt. Most of us with 3400 V6 Aleros on this forum have already done that.

I use the plain jane AC Delco PF47 Duraguard oil filter and get very minor or minimal piston slap at initial startup. It disappears within 30 seconds and occurs only when the engine is cold. Using a K&N or Mobil type oil filter didn't make any difference either.

As BNaylor said, it's most likely piston slap, which is very common on the 3.4...mine does the same thing...not very likely to be the oil pump.

not very likely to be the oil pump.

I agree. In most cases just an issue you'll have to live with. Also, after reading all the oil filter comparison tests all over the Internet I decided to stay with the good ole AC Delco brand. But oil and type oil filter used is really a matter of personal experience and preference.

Just as a note the AC Delco oil filters do have:

Antidrain back valves retain oil in the filter for quicker engine lubrication during start-up

By-pass valves help keep the engine from becoming oil-starved during cold weather starts or if total filter blockage exists