Random metal click/tap sound?

[768MPH]

When I start my car in the morning I'm getting a random metal click/tapping sound.
Not the "normal" lifter tick sound. It's totally random. Sounds as if its coming from behind the power steering pump reservoir/Valve cover area on drivers side front of the engine only.

Any ideas?

[jimmyp3353]

Is it a consistant sound (ticking at the speed of the valvetrain) or like once every few seconds. Take a stethoscope to the front of the drivers side valve cover to see if its coming from the valvetrain. If it sounds like its coming from under the valve cover I would take the cover off and inspect the rockers, springs and pushrods. Its a start.

[768MPH]

Yeah. It's a random, sporadic tick.
I'll check my header bolts and spark plugs to make sure they aren't backing out. (Tip from another member)

[Crazy Paul]

Yeah. It's a random, sporadic tick.
I'll check my header bolts and spark plugs to make sure they aren't backing out. (Tip from another member)

If it's a clacking noise that cuts in for half a dozen taps and then quits, then repeats, then disappears until the next cold start.....then that is more than likely the start of a lifter problem. It's sporadic because at this stage it's all about a problem lifter retaining or not retaining a cushion of oil internally.
If it's holding it's oil then there will be no noise, as it loses oil inside then there's no cushion and you're getting metal to metal tapping....until such time as it can hold it's cushion again.

==Broken stuff like valve springs and rocker arms wont normally give off anything but a constant noise in time with engine rpm. The noise won't cut in and out.
If your lifter keeps hammering and metal surfaces get damaged ie lifter roller & cam lobe, then the sporadic (hydraulic natured) noise you are hearing now will blend into a constant (mechanical damage natured) noise....in time with engine rpm with no respite.

[768MPH]

damn, that sounds exactly what Im experiencing. Only on cold starts.

I guess it's time for a cam upgrade? I highly doubt warranty will cover it with my headers and UDP.

[GM Customer Service]

When I start my car in the morning I'm getting a random metal click/tapping sound.
Not the "normal" lifter tick sound. It's totally random. Sounds as if its coming from behind the power steering pump reservoir/Valve cover area on drivers side front of the engine only.

Any ideas?

Hello 768MPH,

If you don't mind, could you private message me your VIN and current mileage. I will look into your vehicle issue and see what I can turn up on my end for you. Also include a brief summary of the issue for me.

Reggie B.
GM Customer Care

[Beefynca]

Hello 768MPH,

If you don't mind, could you private message me your VIN and current mileage. I will look into your vehicle issue and see what I can turn up on my end for you. Also include a brief summary of the issue for me.

Reggie B.
GM Customer Care

I am not the original Poster but I have the same problem. I was told it was nothing by the service writer at the dealer and that it's normal for GM V8's. I have owned myny GM cars and whenever that noise occurred it was a lifter problem. Mine happens mostly in the morning. It is a constant ticking that gets faster with the revs going higher.
My VIN is 6G2EC57Y59L232232 I would appreciate any help you can provide. Thank you

[Crazy Paul]

AFM lifters are more prone to having a lost oil cushion because they contain less oil volume than normal non-AFM lifters.
Part of the internal oil chamber is occupied by the collapsible mechanism...one metal cylinder sliding inside the main outer casing.

18979

[Marcados]

Curious, if you were to make an argument with a service writer about this issue, where would you begin? I've had intermittent tapping as well, and I've been reluctant to go near a dealer b/c of getting the run-around. This is exactly the kind of issue that is easy to write-off, but could be potentially very bad as well.

[GM Customer Service]

I am not the original Poster but I have the same problem. I was told it was nothing by the service writer at the dealer and that it's normal for GM V8's. I have owned myny GM cars and whenever that noise occurred it was a lifter problem. Mine happens mostly in the morning. It is a constant ticking that gets faster with the revs going higher.
My VIN is 6G2EC57Y59L232232 I would appreciate any help you can provide. Thank you

Hello Beefynca,

I can look into your situation for you as well. If you don't mind, could you private message me your full name, address, phone, mileage and a brief of your issue? Also, include your VIN again so I'll have it all in one place. I will then update you from there.

Reggie B.
GM Customer Care