2003 Pontiac Grand Am

KATIEMARSTON

MEMBER
2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM
6 CYL
AUTOMATIC

Why does my car make a clicking noise when I start it in the cold and it dont when its warm?

Sunday, December 12th, 2010 AT 4:44 AM

5 Replies

FIXITMR

MECHANIC
9,990 POSTS

A clicking noise after it's running or while you are trying to start?

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Sunday, December 12th, 2010 AT 5:02 AM

FIXITMR

MECHANIC
9,990 POSTS

If it's after it's running then it likely your valve lifters dont have enough oil for a minute or 2 because it's cold and oil flows slower when cold. This could be 1 or more lifters making noise. It goes away after oil reaches lifter(s).

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Sunday, December 12th, 2010 AT 7:04 AM

MHPAUTOS

MECHANIC
31,938 POSTS

Do a oil system drain and flush with a good quality flushing agent, replace the filter and ensure it has an anti drain back valve, top end quality filters will normally have this feature.

Mark (mhpautos)

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Sunday, December 19th, 2010 AT 5:15 AM

KATIEMARSTON

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Its after its running it only does it when its cold out. It goes away after it warms up though. And I just changed my oil and filter like less than 2months ago if that I always get top end quality filters.

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Tuesday, December 21st, 2010 AT 5:24 AM

FIXITMR

MECHANIC
9,990 POSTS

It's not a dangerous or uncommon problem. I lessoned mine to only cold sensitivity by adding LUCAS oil stabilizer as mine was doing it in warm weather also. And if I dont use the vehicle for days it does it anyway. The final solution would be a valve lifter replacement. But the cost effectiveness of this is just something I cannot justify. So I put up with the intermittent ticking/tapping.