Cold starts cause clicking sound

[beeks81]

I have a 94 pickup with a freshly rebuilt 350 motor. On cold mornings (below 30 degrees) the engine makes a clicking sound when first started and for the next minuit or so when I start driving. When it's really cold it sounds more like a diesel than a gas engine, but just for a little while and then it runs like new. Throughout the winter it seemed to consistently get worse. I had it back in the shop once and I'm not sure that the mechanic did anything other than change the oil. I called him again and I'm going to bring it in this monday. He said he thinks it's a bad check valve. He thinks the oil is draining out of the system when the engine is not running. Does this sound right? Would temperature have so much effect on this problem that it seems to dissappear when it's warm outside? Wouldn't the oil pressure come up slowly like when you change the oil? I have oil pressure right away. My warranty is about to run out and I have no way of knowing if it's fixed until it gets cold outside. Any advice would be greatly apreciated!

[everest]

What is probably happening is oil is not reaching your lifters like it needs to right away. When the vehicle is not running the oil will slowly make its way down to the oil pan. But immediately upon starting the oil pump should quickly push that oil up throughout the engine. The lifters and push rods are at the highest point in the engine. A dry lifter will tick terrirbly until it gets filled with oil. When it is cold like you say outside the oil in your engine is thick and has even a harder time to get up to the lifters until the engine is warmed up. When the engine is warm the oil loosens up or I guess you could say thins out, allowing it to reach the lifters easily. I would guess that you have a clogged push rod or rods. The oil must pass through the center of the push rods in order to fill the lifters with oil. With a clogged push rod or rods you will still have oil pressure like normal. Take about a 1 inch diameter hose to use as a listening devise. Let the vehicle sit for a couple of days so the oil drains down into the pan. Have someone start the engine while your next to the engine. My guess is that you still get some noise even in warmer wether upon startup, it just isnt as noticable as it is in the winter months. You can find the noisy lifter using the hose and sticking is up to the valve covers. The other thing would be the lifter or lifters themselves are defective and not filling with oil like they should. Good luck

[Valarie]

I have an '01 v6 camaro with the 3.8L engine, and my lifter ticks when the engine is cold. I've always used Valvoline 10W-30 engine oil, and changed it every 3000 miles on the dot. I'm a little concerned because the car is still relatively new, and I wouldn't expect any malfunctions yet. What can I do to solve this problem besides opening up my engine?