If you are removing the valve covers, you might as well buy reusable rocker bolts and swap that out too

 

question is...did you add the Lucas motor treatment? with the oil change?

 

Could be the fuel rail, they tick fairly loud when cold

 

I did not. I just don't feel comfortable putting that stuff in there. Tried it on my trans am and it just made an oil leak worse

 

Who told you to put Lucas motor treatment...in the trans??????

The Lucas trans treatment is a preventative.....Not the cure for a serious leak issue....


I use Lucas motor treatment for al my vehicles! at every oil change! They both have high mileage. and run like the day they were made. Plenty of power and great fuel mileage...

My silverado Z-71 has 107,000 miles on it. Every year the mrs and i travel across the country pulling my 28ft 5th wheel. That weighs 11,000 pounds

It seems to me that someone gave you some bad advice when it comes to your leaking trans issue....
I am a skeptic when it comes to additives for sure...

But for me This Lucas high milage motor treatment maintains your engine oil viscosity. whether its towing (strain on the oil temp) which causes the oil to break down...

My truck also runs cooler when im towing all that weight all over the country..especially on real Hot days! (like the southern states in august) when its the hottest time of the year....

Its your choice..I just know what works for me....

Maybe some others will chime in to confirm that Lucas works!

 

He said Trans Am... as in Pontiac Trans Am.

My Monte has 184,000 miles on it, and I don't use any additives when I do an oil change. Still runs perfect. I think proper maintenance is the key there... not the additives

 

check and see if the belt tensioner is going bad, sounds stupid but mine is kinda making the same noise (for about 30-45 seconds on a cold start) and i think i narrowed it down to the tensioner honestly.

some may not agree with this but this is what i would do to see if its a pulley or belt noise:
when the engine is cold take the belt off and out of the car and then start the car, only for like 15sec (just long enough to hear if its still making the noise) to do no coolant flowing you dont want a heat issue. if the sound is not there its a pulley/belt issue. i will be doing this test when i get some free time from work next. hope this helps diagnose the noise for ya.