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




Maybe a sticky Valve lifter
Peter Smet
Haasdonk, Belgium
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



Technology is great, when it Works,
And one Big Pain in the Ass When it Doesn’t.
Detroit Iron Rules, All the Rest are Just Toys.
94 GMC Burban, 5.7L (350), 4X4, Auto
86 GMC Burban, 350, 2 WD, Auto
79 GMC pickup plow truck, 400, Full time 4X4, Auto
86 Pontiac Fiero SE, 2.8L, Auto, only mid engine American car
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15 year GM assembly line worker.
no it takes a while to go away thats why i was wondering what it could be..


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, 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.'
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There is no way to happiness....happiness is the way.
High Desert SoCal
93 K1500 burb (personal) 350 AT 3" Lift 250K+
02 Honda Civic LX
Looking for a 1990's Miata for an engine swap
uhhh lol wow thanks alot manim 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!!!
Padraic O'Neill
1990 Chevy K-1500
305 5.0L short bed 4x4
new tune up..synthetic oil only..turbo 400 3 speed trans, 10 bolt rear end just flushed both axles and added royal purple full synthetic gear oil...



Technology is great, when it Works,
And one Big Pain in the Ass When it Doesn’t.
Detroit Iron Rules, All the Rest are Just Toys.
94 GMC Burban, 5.7L (350), 4X4, Auto
86 GMC Burban, 350, 2 WD, Auto
79 GMC pickup plow truck, 400, Full time 4X4, Auto
86 Pontiac Fiero SE, 2.8L, Auto, only mid engine American car
See a Pattern yet?
15 year GM assembly line worker.
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