Loud Clicking Sound When Starting in Cold Weather

[Blazer1996]

The clicking sound just started this winter. Had no problem last year. I have a 2006 Grand Prix w/3.8L eng. This loud clicking sound only happens when the car is started in cold weather. After the car warms up, the sound stops. Any advice would be helpful.

Thanks

[grandprixgtx00]

start w/ simple things, how long has it been since an oil change? also...which grade of oil do you use?? it sounds like a lifter noise.

[Blazer1996]

Thanks for your reply. Something related to the valves was my first suspicion. The car has 50,000 miles. I was running Castrol GTX 10w30. Changed the oil yesterday to Castrol 5w30 and the noise was still there this morning when I started the car.

[grandprixgtx00]

wierd...

isnt the car still under warrenty? how long does it click for?? mine usually does for litterally 2 seconds in cold conditions, untill the oil reaches the top of the motor of course.

[richtazz]

A little lifter clatter in really cold weather (under 10 degrees farenheit) is normal until the oil gets circulating as the previous poster mentioned. If it continues for more than a couple minutes, then you may have a problem.

[sjzc1983]

I too have the same problem and have been thinking it has to do with the lifters.

I picked up a 2006 Grand Prix (base model), 3800 Series III with a little over 30,000 miles this past summer.

I noticed when the weather started getting cold, the cold starts had this loud annoying ticking/tapping sound. I recently changed the oil when the oil life monitoring system read 20-25% oil life left. The sound wasn't there the next morning. Some mornings I still hear it, some mornings it is faint and others I don't notice it.

Needless to say I hear it more often then not. Any suggestions on what it is and is it something I could possibly fix myself with a Chitlns/Haynes Manual without getting hit with a big auto repair bill?

Thanks,
Scott

[Blazer1996]

I have had the car for 3 years now. Still have the same problem since my original post 2 years ago. Clicking sound returns every winter. Tried Lucas with an oil change and still not better. Hope it's nothing serious.

[sjzc1983]

Someone recommended trying Wynns Mystery oil to see if that helps and that it may be a sticky lifter. If that doesn't work they said the lifter may just need a tiny adjustment to tighten it. I plan on getting a Chitlins manual to see whats involved with accessing the lifters.

[Blazer1996]

Thanks Scott, Hope that works for you! Let me know how it goes.

Jay

[grandprixgtx00]

Thread is a little old, dont ya think?

anyways, i do not suggest any additives being put in the oil. Only one i trust is Seafoam. Just my of course

[sjzc1983]

yes it's a little old but it's new to me, I just picked the car up late this past summer.

I'll do some research on the seafoam, I've never heard of it before. Thanks

[grandprixgtx00]

Originally Posted by sjzc1983

yes it's a little old but it's new to me, I just picked the car up late this past summer.

Not a problem...we're here to help, Mods usually prefer you start a new thread rather then resurrect an old thread. Keeps the forum a little less "congested". You can just provide a link to the old thread so we can look if your experiencing the same issue. By the way...wecome to AF!

I'll do some research on the seafoam, I've never heard of it before. Thanks

Seafoam works wonders. You can put it in your gas tank as well to use as an Injector cleaner. If you decide to put it in the oil, just dump it in the crankcase. Dont use the whole bottle, and let the car run for a few mins..then do an oil change.

[crazzyy1]

I had a clicking noise on my 05 grand prix when cold....
Thought it was new engine time
Turned out to be the plastic shield under the transmission that covers the flywheel....when cold this piece of plastic was rubbing on the flywheel causing a hell of a noise....
Took it to my mechanic we removed the plastic cover cut off the part that was rubbing and no noise all winter

Hope your noise is as easy and cheap as it was for me...good luck!