Cold start tick 4200 Vortec

[i6pwr]

This is similar to the post on the 5.7 tick but mine is opposite and it ticks after the oil has been changed and lessens after 4-5K miles. The engine in a 2002 envoy and has 183K and I purchased it new. I have performed almost all of the oil changes and I have used a lot of M1 changing at 5-7500 miles, sometimes sooner but always before 8K.

I have switched recently to Pennzoil Syn power and honestly the motor seems slightly quieter which is why I wanted to try it over M1. I did a BG flush last 2 oil changes ago which went 7K miles after the flush, and I have 2300 on this oil. It seems that the BG treatment reduced the tick almost 50%, now it only ticks sometimes and only lasts for about 5-10 sec max, used to go for about 20-30 sec.

I am using Pure one filters now, the tick has been present with all filters including AC PF61, Pure one, M1, Purolator classic, Fram extraguard.

I haven't been inside the valve cover so I don't know how the lifter mechanism is setup being a DOHC design. Compression is very good and vacuum gauge is steady.

Maybe I will try flushing a few more times but I'm surprised if there is varnish with the amount of synthetic oil I have used. What is recommended for this type of tick?

Here's a video when it was at it's worst. Not piston slap, not an exhaust leak, the tick stops abruptly each time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVTi5wF941M

 

[spk2000]

My 2002 Montero 3.5 liter engine does this too. Goes away in 30-50 seconds usually. it is not quite as loud though. I have been wondering what causes it and what could help stop it. Is it causing damage or not. I thought it was a noisy lifter but not sure.

 

[salv]

My 4.2 in my 03 Trailblazer put out a little noise on cold starts. Changed to GTX HM 5w30 and noise is far less on cold starts.
My best experience for reducing engine noise is Mobil Super HM in my Jeep XJ and Mobil Super 5000 10w30 in my Altima.
Save some money and try Mobil Super for an interval and see what happens noise wise.

 

[Clevy]

Noise doesn't equate to added wear. I wouldn't sweat it.

 

[A_Harman]

Originally Posted By: i6pwr
It seems that the BG treatment reduced the tick almost 50%, now it only ticks sometimes and only lasts for about 5-10 sec max, used to go for about 20-30 sec.

I haven't been inside the valve cover so I don't know how the lifter mechanism is setup being a DOHC design. Compression is very good and vacuum gauge is steady.



The 4200 I6 uses the same valvetrain layout as the Ecotec I4: end-pivot roller rocker arm with a stationary hydraulic lash adjuster. Maybe it has a sticking or slow lash adjuster. Since you have worked it down to where it only has an occasional tick for 5-10 seconds, it won't have much potential to cause problems later. Run high-detergent oils to dissolve whatever gunk may have gotten in the lash adjusters. Pennzoil Ultra, Valvoline MaxLife, or Mobil 1 High Mileage would be good ones to try.

 

[i6pwr]

With 2500 miles on the Valvoline SynPower, Yesterday I drained 1 qt and added a bottle of Rislone. Call me crazy but I can already hear less chatter upstairs. Today's cold start was quiet, tomorrow will tell another story.

 

[i6pwr]

I cannot believe it's been 6 years since I started this thread. Add in kids and other bouts of everyday life and time really gets away.

Over the course of the last 6 years, pretty much the cold mornings would give me some lash adjuster tick.

I recently changed out all 24 lash adjusters and all is good in the valvetrain.

Sorry to bring back an old thread, but figure it may help someone.