I have an 02 ls 3400 with 73000 miles. about 68000 miles i noticed a ticking noise on first start of the day. noise went away after 30 seconds or so. lately the noise takes up to 2 minutes to quiet down. ticking is just loud enough to worry me. but performance is not affected there is no oil burning and the tick go's away and is not there on any restarts unless it sits for more than 10 hours or so. I have had motors with similar noise that eventually spun bearings or worse. I was told at local chevy dealer that this is lifter noise and is normal for these engines.does anyone have same problems or a better answer than this is normal. thanks.

 

[align=center]Hi `Jeff,[/align][align=center]I hope the below information helps, and gives you some[/align][align=center]idea on what it could be.[/align][align=center]Have you changed you oil regularly ?[/align][align=center]Does it sound like valves ticking or pistons ?[/align][align=center]When moving parts don't get oil, they make sounds : ([/align][align=center][/align][align=center]I hope thatone of our expert MCF Tech's[/align][align=center]reads your post/problem/question.[/align][align=center]Good Luck from `Space[/align][align=center][/align][align=center]




My problem is: when I start my car, most of time on cold start but even on hot start, after 10 or 20 seconds I hear a " tick" noise from the engine Like for one minute then the noise disappear.

A. That engine is prone to a piston slap. Obviously I can't hear it to be positive, but I'm sure if you've taken care of it, it should be okay as it is. If it's loud enough to be heard from inside the car, then I would try to isolate the noise.
Bulletin No.: 57-61-24A
* `Jeff,Below article does not contain your year, but it does explain a problem on the 3.4L
Subject:
Cold Engine Tick or Rattle After Start-up (Replace Piston/Pin Assembly)Models:
[ul][*]1994-95 Buick Regal[*]1994-97 Buick Skylark[*]1994-98 Buick Century[*]1994-95 Chevrolet Beretta, Corsica, Lumina, Monte Carlo[*]1996-98 Chevrolet Venture[*]1997-98 Chevrolet Malibu[*]1993-97 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme[*]1994-96 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera[*]1994-97 Oldsmobile Achieva[*]1996-98 Oldsmobile Silhouette[*]1997-98 Oldsmobile Cutlass[*]1994-98 Pontiac Grand Am, Grand Prix[*]1996-98 Pontiac Trans Sport with 3100, 3400 V6 Engine (VINs M, E - RPOs L82, LA1) [/ul]

This bulletin is being revised to expand the model year coverage, add the 3400 V6 Engine applications and arts information. Also, the Cause statement has been changed. Please discard Corporate Service Bulletin 57-61-24 (Section 6 - Engine).
Condition:
Some customers may comment on a ticking type noise that begins shortly after cold engine start-up and gradually diminishes as the engine warms up. In most cases, the noise is gone after five (5) minutes. In severe cases, the noise may not disappear when the engine is hot.
Cause:
Under normal design tolerances when the piston pin bore is produced at the maximum tolerance and the piston pin is produced at the minimum tolerance (min-max tolerance) trace noise levels can occur. This level of noise does not affect the reliability or durability of the product.
Correction:
If piston-to-pin noise is detected and the customer desires the condition to be corrected, replace all six pistons with pin assemblies. The new piston sets have a minimal piston-to-pin clearance. Remember, piston-to-pin noise occurs in both park and drive at engine idle rpm and it varies in intensity depending on the number of pistons involved. A ticking sound means one piston is affected whereas a rattle or diesel type sound indicates more than one piston affected.[/align]

 

The other possibility is valvetraing noise, which 3100 and 3400 motors are prone to. Put 1/3 can of sea foam in there and see if it clears it up.

 

thanks for the info. I change oil every 4000 miles and I think the noise lasts a little longer with fresher oil. if it is piston slap it seems the noise would not go away.maybe a little heat makes the tolerance tighter.I have never heard of "sea foam" what is it. oil treatment?.

[IMG]local://upfiles/3966/9DEA78CAAE5440F0AC84899DA99FD3E5.jpg[/IMG]

 

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A loose spark plug????

 

[align=center]Hi `Jeff,[/align][align=center]Do you have a oil pressure gauge in your Monte ?[/align][align=center]How is it reading @ idle, and @ highway speeds ?[/align][align=center][/align][align=center]Be patience, more members visit the MCF on weekends,[/align][align=center]and may have more suggestions/solutions.[/align][align=center]Keep us updated on your problem.[/align][align=center]Good Luck, from `Space[/align][align=center][/align][align=center][:-]Beautiful Look'in Monte Carlo LS [:-][/align]

 

Thanks for all the help. I do not have oil pressure gauge but it seems like wrist pin is likely source. I just get worried when my baby isn't perfect. my intake gaskets have just started seeping like most others have not bad at all yet. I guess i should be happy the noise does quiet down and go away. wow space you made my cell camera picture look great I tried to copy it to my sig but I'm not that good on that new fangled computer stuff. going to try again at work today after I detail the monte on company time.

[IMG]local://upfiles/3966/B3BD26F8D7114FE4BC9AFB74C8E9642B.jpg[/IMG]

 

That's kind of odd that a wristpin would be going bad...I know on the 8.1 Liter V8's in the 3/4 tons of 2001-2003, wristpins were an issue....I might have them looked at if the money allows....Especially if the intake gaskets are seeping now....

 

Update. Yesterday after a warm resteart ticking was louder and could hear it inside car. got home and opened hood. sounded like front bank of lifters was trying to come thru valve cover. looked in oil fill hole and discovered a little bit of sludge and varnish looking stuff. I got the car with 50,000 miles so it's hard to know how well it was treated before that.so it looks like lifters are not pumping up or sticking. going to try the sea foam stuff or maybe some rislone oil treatment.