Tapping Sound WHen cold?

[SuperSix]

I doubt it
s a rod/bearing rap, and it's not consecutive..

Upon startup (cold) at idle, it goes "tap-tap-tap", aseries of three to four every 1-2 seconds.

Any ideas?

[TurboMike]

Probably the lifters pumping back up. Also, if your running JE's or a forged piston, the wall to skirt clearence is a little more so you'll get some cold start knock.

[ekool]

I doubt it
s a rod/bearing rap, and it's not consecutive..

Upon startup (cold) at idle, it goes "tap-tap-tap", aseries of three to four every 1-2 seconds.

Any ideas?
I'd have to agree with Mike... first place I would look would be lifters.

[SuperSix]

I'd have to agree with Mike... first place I would look would be lifters.


Thanks forthe responses - I'm sure the 20W50 I use and the cooler temps here on Tampa aren't helping.. Iit's a factory block/heads/pistons So it's not the pistons.

Should I worry about the noise?


Thanks,
MArk S.

[HairDrier]

Do you drive the car very often? Iff not I would not be worried. If you drive it every day or almost every day I would say you have a lifter that is bleeding down after shutoff. If so it may eventually bleed off so much that it will cause you to lose power at very high rpm.

If it really bothers you you could put a new set of lifters in, but I would just monitor it. If it was a bearing you would be able to hear it more if you put your head under the car.

Finally ditch the 20w50, that oil is for the desert. Throw some 10-30 synthetic in and you will have all the protection you ever need, and you wont be hammering the internals of your engine on every startup

[d0n_3d]

yeah really...ditch the 20w50 oil! that stuff is THICK and should only be used in extreme heat climates...10w30 synthetic mobil 1 if your motor has lower mileage on it or use conventional 10w30 if the mileage is kinda high...

[SuperSix]

I drive the car ~100miles/day.. And it's usually city driving, in 90+ degree weather. I think I may go lower on the viscosity next oil change..

Thanks for all the responses!

[scottyb]

I drive the car ~100miles/day.. And it's usually city driving, in 90+ degree weather. I think I may go lower on the viscosity next oil change..

Thanks for all the responses!

Cam sensor?

[SuperSix]

Cam sensor?


Interesting - something else to consider..

Thanks

[HairDrier]

Can sensor should be easy to tell, the sound would be right in the front of the engine by the water pump.

Lifter bleeding down would make the rockers rattle so the sound would come from the valve covers, probably one side more than the other if you have one bad lifter.

A cheap stethoscope can be used to help find the sound

[marc86mcss]

A cheap stethoscope can be used to help find the sound

Or you could just use a piece of hose or pipe on the cam sensor. My sensor "ticks." good luck

[1KWIK6]

I second the "cam sensor" vote.

[six shooter]

Only when cold ? Exhaust leak ?

[alb84]

I stay with mobile1 15/50. JMHO later.....Danny