Welcome to the forum

 

If you are suggesting something like "Motor Flush", I highly advise AGAINST that. The idea sounds great on paper, but in reality, it can remove much needed lubricants from engine internals (such as the numerous bearings). Even though this is a high miles engine, that could end it's life pre-mature.

If it only made the tick when it's cold, the 3100/3400 engines are known for this. But you inform it happens all the time. Get a professional to look it over before going further.

I've done a lot with the 3100/3400 engines. I've only known 1 (happened to be in my wife's '94 Grand Am) that the tick was REALLY loud. But it was nothing more then an over exaggerated valve tick that these motors do. To quiet it down, I've used products like Rislone and Motor Honey with oil changes. After about 5 oil changes, the additives were no longer needed, the ticket was back to no louder then normal. We used the car for another 1-2 years and then sold it when upgrading to an Impala for her.

Again, since the noise is clearly present hot or cold, I would recommend a professional look it over (as it's tough to diagnosis via written information).

 

Wen I started the car yesterday it was gone, but wher I drov it to was 1.8 miles away and wen I parked it iheard it again. Being that even for that short time it was gone and that fact that is was a warmermer day then usual. Wasnt sure if that might b an indication that somthin is stickin. Thank for all the advice from everyone.

 

The fact that on a cold start it's NOT present and then after a short drive it's there, this is NOT the normal behavior of the 3100/3400 tick. I'm not familiar with a tick that develops after the engine warms up.

I suggest you have a trusted professional inspect this. It may be nothing or it could be a problem to leave you stranded and looking for a new engine.

 

Like Mike recommended (chibi) Get the oil changed and add maybe some Lucas high mileage motor treatment (which is what I use) and see if it disappears.

 

Your timing chain tensioner could be getting worn out causing your timing chain to slap the cover or engine block. You said it actually got a little quieter when accelerating, that's what makes me think it could be the timing chain. With 271K miles it could be a few different things. Another thing that would get a little quieter when accelerating could be your oil pump getting ready to take a crap and making your top end tap when you give it the gas it pumps a slight bit more making the tapping quieter. And last but not least it could still be rod bearings, main bearings, or something major in your bottom end getting ready to die. Does it hold good oil pressure or do you not have a gauge? Your oil pump going bad or the timing chain tensioner either one wouldn't have much of an effect on power output(till it jumps time) but if I were you I'd stop driving it till I found out what's wrong if at all possible. But I know how it is I've driven some pretty messed up vehicles just to get to work lol

 

Welcome
You might want to try and pinpoint the sound with a screwdriver by placing the metal end on various parts of your engine (no moving parts of course) and the handle to your ear while it is making the ticking noise. The sound will become louder and more clear the closer you are to it. Hopefully it can help you locate where it is coming from and help you make a diagnosis.

 

I think that it might be somthin sti ckin cause it has been warmer out and now it stopped. It had never don this in the cold before. Thanx everyone for your suggestions.