2002 Chevrolet Cavalier Tapping Noise

Tiny
CTEENER77
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 120,000 MILES
Sometimes when I start my car there is a loud tapping or clanking sound coming from the front of my car. As it idles it will quiet down but it's still there and it sounds like a rattle or tapping. The loud part doesn't always happen but when it does it's when I first start my car. It only happens about 30 percent of the time. When I accelerate the tapping speeds up and then slows down when I release the gas pedal. I just had an oil change and the serpentine belt was replaced but the tapping still happens. An oil additive was out in and the engine lubed. What could the problem be?
Sunday, November 17th, 2013 AT 5:18 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Since it changes speed with the engine speed, it sounds like the lifters or rockers are ticking. Does the engine ever run rough when you hear this noise? Does the noise eventually go away after the engine runs for a minute or so?
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Sunday, November 17th, 2013 AT 5:54 PM
Tiny
CTEENER77
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
No the engine doesn't seem to be running rough while it happens but yes after it's been running awhile the sound does start to go away
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Sunday, November 17th, 2013 AT 6:38 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Since it goes away, I would say you have a lifter that is collapsed causing the tapping and then it builds pressure back up causing the sound to go away.
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Sunday, November 17th, 2013 AT 6:40 PM
Tiny
CTEENER77
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thanks for your help
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Sunday, November 17th, 2013 AT 6:41 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Glad to help.
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Sunday, November 17th, 2013 AT 6:43 PM

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