what is that noise?

Question

what is that ticking noise i hear under my hood ... not all the time ..but when i start my car .. after awhile i start to hear it ... that is a common problem for me.. i heard it under my neon too .. i just got this car which is a malibu

Answer 1

Undoubtedly the noise are your lifters.This seems to be a common thing with GM's 3.1L engines, which is what you have under your hood. The most important thing that you can do on any automobile is keep a regular oil change.
Yes, the noise is annoying, but usually won't cause any further problems as long as you take care of the engine well. Badly worn lifters will cause a misfire symptom and if you ever get to that point, that's when you will need to look into getting it repaired.

Answer 2

The ticking noise are valve lifters. In some cars they get louder when low on oil or when the vehicle needs an oil change. On old cars with high miles, it most likely are the valves are worn and need replacing. In some cases when the bearings are worn, the oil presure drops and the valves start ticking.

Answer 3

Could be piston slap. The pistons expand as the engine warms up,so the pistons have to be a little loose when the engine is cold. It usually isn't hurting anything. If it goes away once the engine is up to operating temp,it's probably not a big deal.

Answer 4

do You live up north? oil is cold an not reaching the push rod of the valves. very soon ,the oposite of when they are hot.

You are not living up north. then the pressure of the oil is escaping some where else , from the oil gallery and goes back to the oil pan.(stuck open pressure release valve ?)

Answer 5

its probably the valve lifters ticking.