Clicking noise coming from engine??

[vbros7]

Hey Guys,

A couple days ago i started my car and heard a clicking noise. I wasnt in the position to get out and take a look so I kept on driving, and after a few minutes the clicking noise went away. Now everytime i start my car when it is cold it makes the clicking noise for a few minutes and then stops. If anyone can tell me if its natural or if something is wrong that would be appreciated, thanks in advance!

[tblake]

first off, what motor is in your car with how many miles?

Almost sounds like a lifter....

[vbros7]

sorry my bad i forgot to put that in there. It's a 02 grand prix GT with 50,000

[tblake]

hmmmm, If it were a 3100, a slight lifter noise is pretty common.

On 3800's its not. You stayed up on all the oil changes right?

Does the noise sound like its coming from inside to motor, or around the accessory belt area?

[vbros7]

yes i always keep up on the oil changes, i changed it about a month ago. And I still havent been able to take a look yet. It does sound like it is coming from the right side of the engine when i am in the drivers seat, so i guess you could say its by the accesory belt area.

[tblake]

Why not remove the belt and start the car when its cold, see if the noise is there.

You could also spin each accessory and pulley by hand to feel for roughness.

[vbros7]

Hey, i finally got to pop the hood and take a look at the engine today. When i was looking at it it sounded like the noise was coming from inside the engine, on the left side. I have no clue, what the deal is, the noise seemed somewhat louder today but after 5 minutes the click totally went away?

[tblake]

Hows the oil level? Over full?

Sometimes noisy lifters are a tell tale sign of coolant getting into the oil.

[vbros7]

I checked the oil level and it is good. I am not sure about coolant getting into the oil? I think it possibly could just be a lifter sticking or something. B/c once the oil heats up and the metal expands the noise goes away. I think this weekend i am gonna do a engine flush and change the oil, as my first steps to fix this.

[tblake]

I think that would be a wise decision. What brand filter are you running?

I read somewhere that frams and all the other cheapos aren't capable of filtering enough on cold startup due to the thickness of the oil. Thus starving the top end of the motor for oil. When the car warms, the oil thins, and its just fine.

I always stick to AC-Delco PF47 or else once in a while I run a wix 51040. BTW, wally World now sells delco filters. One stop shop for both my valvoline 10w30 and my ac delco filter.

Engine Oil Filter Study.....very interesting Stuff, the guy did a great job!
http://www.knizefamily.net/minimopar...ers/index.html

[vbros7]

I usually purchase the napa gold filters. I dont know how good they are in terms of quality, but thats usually what i get.

And i think i am gonna switch to a thinner oil, i was thinking a 5w-30 since it is summer now.

But while i was driving to school this morning my low coolant light came on, so idk if i am just low on coolant, or maybe it could be mixing with the oil like you said earlier. But when i checked the oil it was clean. Doesnt oil turn white or some color like that when it mixes with coolant, or am i wrong??

[tblake]

Originally Posted by vbros7

...And i think i am gonna switch to a thinner oil, i was thinking a 5w-30 since it is summer now.

Not sure if I'd switch to thinner oil for warmer weather....

Originally Posted by vbros7

But while i was driving to school this morning my low coolant light came on, so idk if i am just low on coolant, or maybe it could be mixing with the oil like you said earlier. But when i checked the oil it was clean. Doesnt oil turn white or some color like that when it mixes with coolant, or am i wrong??

It usually only turns colors (cholocate milk) of there is a major coolant leak into the oil. How does the underside of your oil fill cap look? Does it have like light brown thick gunk on it? How about the radiator? Is it full? When you go to drain your oil, make sure you watch oil drain right as you remove the drain plug. Coolant is heavier than oil and will sinc to the bottom of the pan, so its the first to come out.

If I were you, I'd be carefull driving it untill you are 100% sure that no coolant is getting into your oil. Coolant wasn't meant to lubricate, and if enough of it is getting in to make your lifters noicy, you risk wiping a crankshaft bearing.

How many miles did you say you have on it?

You might be due for a new Upper Intake Manifold, and while your there, I'd replace the Lower Intake manifold gaskets with the new GM redesigned metal ones.

If Rich sees this, he can provide you with partnumbers, I believe most of the ASE tech moderators here recommend replacing the UIM with a Doorman rather than the GM delco one.

Check the tech procedures/maintenance subforum, I'm sure Bob has a writup in there detailing LIM gaskets on the 3800. Its not hard really, just time consuming and you have to make sure that you torque EVERYTHING correctly with a torque wrench.

Again, If I were you, I would really be carefull driving it. If the UIM is cracked, it could fill the combustion chamber and hydrolock your motor. Causeing it to sieze up and possably bending a couple puchrods or works....

Just not worth it for such an easy repair...

[vbros7]

Ok thank you, i am about to go change the oil and start checking things out in about an hour, so i will be able to get back to you maybe later tonight what the outcome to everything was, talk to you then, thanks, and it has 51,000 miles on it

[tblake]

Good Luck!

[sportsterguy3421]

Take your Napy Gold filter # and put a 5 in front of it....instant Wix. Cool huh? I wonder which one costs more?