irelandshamrock
3/20/2007 10:41:05 PM
I have a 2002 Impala with 3.4. Car has 44K miles. When I start car engine makes a clicking/tapping noise, which gets faster/louder when I drive. Problem goes away after about 4 minutes, when engine warm. Anyone experience this? Possible solutions? Thanks.
engine2
3/21/2007 9:36:54 AM
sounds like an exhaust leak
rbarrios
3/21/2007 1:45:42 PM
like mentioned. could be exhaust leak. more apparent under acceleration.
But since you say it goes away away after about 4 minutes- could be cold carbon knock. I doubt its the piston slap like the V8's had a few yrs ago in the subs and tahoes.
Cold carbon knock is also seen on the I-6 engines used on the trailblazers and similar SUVs.
A tempory fix on the I-6 is to run a bottle of Chevron techron. this helps get rid of the carbon buildup. It does quiet it down for a few months.
It eventually returns after some time on the I6. Using high quality gas helps avoid this.
If you havent- run a bottle of techron.
How about your oil? is it up to level?
twizzle12
3/21/2007 11:50:58 PM
I had the clicking on my Impala too (also a 3.4) but mine was from the sluge build up from the lower intake leaking coolant into the crank case. after I fixed the gasket I used a high detergent diesel engine oil and it cleared all the build up out, I only ran it with that oil for about 1500 miles and it's never had a click again. 130,000 miles and still going (here is a hint... if you have a bunch of gooey stuff, like a tan slime on the inside of your oil fill cap, your lower intake gasket is leaking coolant into your crank case) this worked for me!!
chester_08
4/18/2007 5:24:59 AM
it could be that there is a leak on your
chevrolet exhaust system. where the manifold hits the block? Gets tighter when the engine warms? You may also benefit from checking your oil level now and adding a bit to fill.
Sounds like hydraulic lifters tapping until the oil pressure builds up.
HLF DZN
1/23/2008 8:23:48 AM
I'm no mechanic, but I bet it's related to the collant mixed into the oil as stated by Twizzle12 (above). I have an 03 Impalla with the 3.4. I heard the clicking one day, and igored it. Then a week later I couldn't get the car to heat. Turns out I need a new intake gasket. Other research points to the mixing of oil and coolant when the gasket leaks. Good luck!