Engine Problems??

[mr.copenhagen]

hello everyone. i dont know if i am doing this right but i have a strange ticking noise coming from my engine compartment. the thing that confuses me is that this ticking noise only happens when the truck first starts up in cold weather than the noise goes away after a while. does anyone know what this noise is, is it harmful, and can it be fixed?? any help would be great

thanks alot
mr.copenhagen

[Davandy]

Maybe a sticky Valve lifter

[TrailLeadr]

hello everyone. i dont know if i am doing this right but i have a strange ticking noise coming from my engine compartment. the thing that confuses me is that this ticking noise only happens when the truck first starts up in cold weather than the noise goes away after a while. does anyone know what this noise is, is it harmful, and can it be fixed?? any help would be great

thanks alot
mr.copenhagen


What else can you tell us about the truck? (ie. year, make, model, engine size, mileage)

[mr.copenhagen]

ok well my truck is a 1990 K1500 short bed. shes got a 305ci V8 EFI. shes got about 114,328 miles and has a perfect maintinance reccord. so i dont have the slitest clue as to what that noise could be. it runs better than new lol exept for that noise. hopefully some of that info could help

[84fiero123]

ok well my truck is a 1990 K1500 short bed. shes got a 305ci V8 EFI. shes got about 114,328 miles and has a perfect maintinance reccord. so i dont have the slitest clue as to what that noise could be. it runs better than new lol exept for that noise. hopefully some of that info could help

Does it go away after a few seconds?

It's been real cold lately, the oil takes longer to get to the lifters and every place else.

[mr.copenhagen]

no it takes a while to go away thats why i was wondering what it could be..

[unplugged]

Use a long screwdriver as an improvised stethoscope. Put one end on the valve cover and the other at your ear. You should be able to hear any lifter noise. Lifter noise usually isn't worth bothering with if it doesn't affect performance. You can sometimes identify the offending lifter by removing the valve cover, run the engine and check to see if oil is coming from each pushrod. No oil would indicate which lifter needs replacement. (Use something to contain any oil that might spill) It is possible to remove the rocker arm and pushrod to replace the lifters. First you may want to try an additive like Wynn's Supreme Plus Oil Change Kit (http://www.wynnsusa.com/Engine.asp), first to flush the engine before changing the oil, and afterwards to improve oil viscosity.
As you can see in the graphic, the oil in the engine passes through the lifters and up the pushrods to oil the upper end of the motor. If the lifter is not getting enough pressure it will make a tapping noise. Lifters/cam followers are often called 'tappets.'
http://www.synlube.com/images/oilsyslgf.gif

[mr.copenhagen]

uhhh lol wow thanks alot man:biggrin: im going to get right to it when i get out of school!!!that helps out soo much i never would have thought to do anyof that!!!damn you really know what ur talking about thanks again!!!

[84fiero123]

Use a long screwdriver as an improvised stethoscope. http://www.synlube.com/images/oilsyslgf.gif

I love old school. That was always my favorite tool.