I have a 92 Lumina with 3.1L V6 and 3 speed auto tranny. The engine runs great but the only thing that I am concerned about is that when the engine is cold it will make a very slight taping noise the engine will make this noise for maybe two or three minutes then it will go away. The taping noise will only increase with engine speed but it will not decrease with engine speed. It will not make the noise when the car idling or when its in neutral or park even if I rev the engine.It has made this noise since I got the car but I just want to hear some opinions as to what it could be. The car has almost 127,000 miles on it.
2007-01-29 12:10:35 · 13 answers · asked by CAPTAIN GENIUS !! 5 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
its a very light taping sound.
I did try to put in a higher octaine fuel (87 to 89) but that didn't do anything.
2007-01-29 12:24:49 · update #1
its a very light taping sound.
I did try to put in a higher octane fuel (87 to 89) but that didn't do anything.
2007-01-29 12:25:24 · update #2
the 3.1 is noted for piston slap, infact GM had a big recall on them over the years for that problem, my 94 grand am does the same thing, I have 142,000 miles on mine, only does it when you first start it and then after about a half mile the rings on the pistons expand enough from the heat in the engine the noise goes away. I asked my mechanic about it and he said it won't hurt a thing and don't worry about it.
2007-01-29 12:22:21 · answer #1 · answered by mister ss 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The engine has hydraulic valve lifters. These pump up with oil to act as a cushion and allow the engine to run quiet. Most racing engines use solid valve lifters which have to have a mechanical clearance. They're more efficient at high speeds than hydraulics but noisy. The oil in your lifters is draining out when it is sitting and not running. When you start it they are noisy, much like solid lifters, until the oil supply pumps them back up. Some new cars have a tendency to do this and some do not. As they get older they are all prone to this. It really isn't a problem or anything you need to worry about.
2007-01-29 12:22:40 · answer #2 · answered by mustanger 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Does it only make this sound when the car is moving? If this is the case, this is something in your drivetrain, not in your engine. I drive a 94 lumina with a 3.1 as well, and have not had this problem. If you have no issues with handling or braking, I wouldnt worry too much, just have it checked out when you can. What is strange is that this only happens when you start the car. Is it a tapping, or more of a thumping?
2007-01-29 12:20:57 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A lifter may be sticking. At your next oil change add a quart of Rislone to the crankcase. It's a high detergent oil and additive. Look at their website. In older 4cyl. Pontiac and Chevy V6 engines. General motors has fitted slightly (.003 - .005) pistons to stop the piston slap you more likely are hearing. As long as the noise goes away in that period of time you have no worries ay all.
2007-01-29 12:32:01 · answer #4 · answered by Country Boy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Many engines are just a little noisier when they are cold, its normal. Tolerances are greater when an engine is cold and as the engine warms up tolerances tighten. Oil will also take longer to reach all the moving parts when it is cold. By what you are saying, if this engine has that many miles on it don't worry, if something was wrong you would have known long before now.
2007-01-29 12:22:09 · answer #5 · answered by alk99 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
More than likely the engine has hydraulic lifters. Which means that The lifters require their to be oil presser for them to work correctly some times the inlets on the lifters get partially clogged Then it takes longer for them to pump up to the pressure that is required for them to work properly. That means that they could be bad or going bad. Or have flat spots on them Which means they are bad. The oil pump could be going out to. but more likely it is the lifters. A car with that many miles it is more tha likely the lifters. if the oil changes have not been kept up its lifters.
2007-01-29 12:41:10 · answer #6 · answered by spinnoff 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The GM 3.1 and 3.4 liter engines are notorius for having lower intake manifold leaks (they all leak) the coolant over time "washes" out the rod bearings and starts to cause a knocking or tapping noise. The rod bearings are the bearings your crankshaft rides on. We do this job a couple times a month on those motors, believe me. Take it easy if you dont get it repaired because it will cause further engine damage.
2007-01-29 12:22:24 · answer #7 · answered by n2o96stang 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your car will only make the noise during acceleration you may be hearing engine ping (pre ignition) which is an indication that you are using too low of grade gas. Try a full tank of mid-octane, or high octane.
2007-01-29 12:19:33 · answer #8 · answered by ttpawpaw 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i'm surprised which you say ur motor vehicle 's have been given a timing chain . Are u one hundred% beneficial its not a timing "belt" ? in basic terms an extremely few manufacturers nonetheless greater healthful timing "chains ", Ferarri and motorcycle manufacturers, as an occasion . undecided what u advise by tapping noise close to upload-ons band, yet which could merely be a worn bearing . DJC>
2016-10-16 06:53:32 · answer #9 · answered by machey 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It' s nothing that bad if it goes away.
It's not a pulley or belt.
Could be anything connected to the choke, the fan clutch, or to the radiator, which are all affected by the car warming up.
2007-01-29 12:16:42 · answer #10 · answered by bgii_2000 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋