Noise on startup

[ExtremeCarStere]

I'm starting to get some noise on start up and I'm not sure what to check. It lasts for about five seconds, sounds kind of like scratching, and seems to be coming from the valve cover by the driver's side. My first instinct is a lifter not getting oil, but I wanted to see if there were any other suggestions, and also, what I should check to make sure oil's flowing properly, etc. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Tim65GT]

How many miles on engine?

Rebuilt?

Oil Viscosity?

Recently change Viscosity from thin to thicker or visa versa?

Temperature outside?

All of the above are factors, but it sounds like a bad lifter.

 

[rbohm]

yeah, sounds like a lifter that is taking its time pumping up.

 

[ExtremeCarStere]

How many miles on engine?

Rebuilt?

Oil Viscosity?

Recently change Viscosity from thin to thicker or visa versa?

Temperature outside?

All of the above are factors, but it sounds like a bad lifter.

50K on engine, not rebuilt, 10W-30 and I've been using that for a while now, just got colder, but nothing below freezing. How can I check for a bad lifter?

 

[Tim65GT]

I've never had to, but I would pull the valve cover while the engine is warm and check each lifter to ensure it is "pumped up".

Rotate the engine and check each rocker for looseness?

To be sure, ya probably have to pull the intake manifold to get a good look at each plunger. You'd think one would be a little spongy

Any one else?

 

[thehueypilot]

Loose torque convertor bolts?

 

[ExtremeCarStere]

Loose torque convertor bolts?

Nope, it's a 5 speed

 

[ExtremeCarStere]

So I've been doing some more reading and was wondering, if the noise seems to be coming from one area, could this be caused by being low on oil, or would that cause a more universal noise? Also, is there any way to check for a bad lifter without pulling the intake and having a look? Thanks.

 

[12sec67]

do you have roller rockers with a stud mountor is it stock?

 

[ExtremeCarStere]

They're roller rockers, it's a stock 95GT 302.

 

[10secgoal]

I had a problem with a starter once. The bendix wasn't completely retracting. Made a ton of noise. Maybe something to look at if you aren't 100% positive it's coming from the V. cover

 

[2nd Mustang]

Fan belt/accessory pulley?

 

[ExtremeCarStere]

Nope, I'm pretty sure it's coming from the valve cover. I'm going to be checking and probably replacing the lifters on Monday, so can anyone tell me what I'm looking for to tell if it is in fact the lifters that have gone bad?

 

[2nd Mustang]

Lifters might be full of crud from old oil.

Another possibility is exhaust leak which seals up after engine heats up. Yup, been there too.

 

[ExtremeCarStere]

Hmm, good idea checking for a crud filled lifter, I'll take a look and see how they seem. It's tough to diagnose since it only makes the sound for a few seconds on startup, I just want to get it taken care of before it turns into something worse. I'm also going to follow all of this up with an oil change to get any crud out of there, so hopefully something does the trick. Thanks for all the ideas, and keep them coming if anybody thinks there's something else I can check for to get this sorted out.