i know 3100s have a common lifter tick, which is normal. what about 3800s? mine makes a fairly loud tick sound, but normally when the engine is cool and at idle/lower rpms.

 

Sounds like my 3100 when its cold Probably is some kind of lifter issue, i believe the maniac had suggested to me to try motor honey in my engine. I haven't gotten around to trying it so i have no results for you. Maybe other members have ideas.

 

I'm always paranoied about my car lol maybe if someone could chime in I'd like to know more, and possbily try this motor honey.

 

After some googling i've found enough stories to convince me to not try motor honey. Seems essentially all it does is thicken your oil which could cause issues as well. Seems lucas oil stabilizer is getting a better rep, time to look into that.

 

Man you are not having luck with your cars, sounds to me like you need to get the TA done and get a L67 ready to swap on,

How's the oil look?

 

didn't check the oil. i need to change it one of these days though. it's about due. it's weird it doesn't do it in the higher rpms though. at least i can't hear it. i guess it kinda seems to be getting louder. it's been doing it since probably winter time or before at least.

 

Thats sounds definately like lifters.....

From the sounds of it.....Whens the last time you changed your oil? what weight oil do you put in it?....

Regular maintenance is 3 months 3000 miles which ever comes first....
I would recommend you change the oil immediately...
and add some lucas high mileage motor treatment....Im sure you have mega miles on it...which means you should be on aregular schedule to changeing that oil!

My 99 Monte Carlo Z34 has had a regular scheduled oil change since i bought it. ( I bought it special order brand new in 1999)

It also has the 3800....but mine has never "ticked" lke that...and now i have well over 168,000 miles on it currently.

hope this helps...

I use 10w30 in the summer and 5w30 in the winter...
and add the lucas at every oil change!

 

Guess I'll have to try Lucas. I work at a shop so it gets all the maintenance. I just wanted to see if 3.8s made a common lifter tick also. I have 130k on it

 

They aren't common, although I have heard of some rockers bolts becoming loose over time

 

i put 10w30 in this time, and no difference.

so if i'm really concerned should i just go ahead and remove the valve covers and check the bolts on the lifters?