Hi,
my 04 monte ls's lifters are tapping. I live in tampa, FL, so its not due to cold weather. I change oil every 3000 miles. the engine has 51k miles. anything to fix this? is it common with the 3.4?

 

Does the noise go away after the engine warms up, or is it continuous? If it goes away, then that's actually a common thing with these engines and isn't much to worry about. I have the same engine as you (3.4) and mine has this very muted ticking sound when the engine is cold. It can only be heard if I'm next to the engine, or if I'm in the car with the radio and HVAC off. The noise I believe is caused by a lack of oil around the valve lifters and springs(it drains down to the pan when it sits). Once the oil is pumped up there, the noise goes away. It's done this since I got it (Feb. 2006). For the record I have just under 62,000 miles and change my oil every 3K miles or so.

 

every engine when started when it hasent been run over 8 hrs will tap a little when you first start it. because of the first start up and like 05 monte said it should go away when oil is there. if it is still there after the first few minutes like two it might be some thing else. but there should be a little more info on describing what you are hearing. i would like to know so we can give a little more than what sounds like a warm up cycle. just asking

 

The 3.1 in my 98 does the same thing. Goes away one warmed up.

 

7498MonteCarlo

The sound your hear in your 3.1 is good ol' fashion piston slap. very common. google it , you'll see what i mean .