Ticking noise on start up

[handyman]

Car : 2001 Saturn L100 4 banger , 96,000 miles

Problem: Ticking noise. I can start the car, drive for about a mile then the ticking noise starts and lasts for about one to two minutes. It will vary with engine speed. It will not tick, when you restart it in the afternoon or at night.

I’m thinking one of the holes in a hydraulic valve lifter is clogged. After a few minutes I think that the valve lifter gets pressure and it keeps it for a while. Overnight it then drains down.

I’ve in the process of running my second AutoRx rinse phase. I’m following the instructions and I used conventional Pennzoil 5w30 on the first two phases.
I’m using conventional Valvoline MaxLife 5-30 (Got it on sale thanks bitog) on last rinse phase.

I doing the AutoRx treatment because it’s my wife’s car and she only drives five miles to work.

I would like to keep this car for a long as I can. Do you think that I’m worrying too much?

What do you recommend? Do you think LC20 would do any good?

It may be a little chunk of something. I’m not thrilled to have to pull the head and manually clean the holes in the lifters.

 

[porcupine73]

I've heard people having results with MMO for HLA issues.

 

[handyman]

Thanks That reminds me that my sister was using it in her car for lifter noise. A little AutoRX fixed her up. I was hoping that it would do the same for me.

I will try some mmo if the noise does not go away.

 

[fatjack]

GM cars are noted for psiton slap at start up. Check the oil forums for a different type of oil

 

[m2200b]

Id ARX first. I've had a early 90s Mazda with HLA. I've heard you can also benefit from ring problems in saturns.

Last valve noise that actually clears up in that period is not going to effect running another 100K on that saturn even if it ticks at startup. Thats why I prefer long term clenaing solutions.

 

[harry j]

Some have reported that switching to an Amsoil Eao filter, quieted down their engines at start up.

 

[Trav]

It may well be a sticking lifter,but the noise could be a few other things.A lifter with a slightly worn face can cause lifter noise until the engine warms and takes up the extra clearance.No amount of additives is going to fix this condition,only replacing it and inspecting the cam lobe for wear.If varnish is really the cause IMHO ARX isn't the best product for the job,(i know this will probably start a flame war but its MO)5 min idle with chem tool seems to work best on pure varnish.ARX is my choice for carbon in the ring area and sludge deposits but not varnish.Other causes could be carbon on the piston heads/combustion chamber,use GM top engine cleaner(1/4 bottle per hole) down the plug holes.A slightly leaking exhaust manifold gasket(prevalent when cold sounds just like a lifter)look for rotten/broken studs.While piston slap is an issue 99% of the cars we see with supposed slap/upper engine noise do not,the cause is usually carbon.I have seen so many piston slappers that were diagnosed by garages come in only to find out the top end needed cleaning,stuff available a Wally's isn't going to cut it,it takes very aggressive potentially dangerous(to engines as well as people if not used properly)chemicals containing acids to break this stuff free.I did a N* last week that was so loud cold,ticking,knocking it sounded like the piston were loose cans in a barrel.After 3 hrs soaking and vacuuming the jugs out it purred like a kitten at cold start.

 

[Doc8404]

Quote:

---

I've heard people having results with MMO for HLA issues.

---

well, i've used 32 oz and then 12 of Seafoam....with no luck with my ticking HLA in my galant....
ARX cycles are next, with compression tests and pics...

 

[Doc8404]

my tick is gone!

http://theoildrop.server101.com/forums/s...b98t7i53sdsuq99