clicking

[RUC]

I have a loud clicking noise coming from my car. Is there anything that would click only for a little bit on after sitting in the cold. This noise only comes around on cold mornings, and it leaves before I can try to figure out what it is. Its coming from the engine compartment. Any ideas?

[UNFNick2k]

say hello to engine wear. its probably just your engine valves your hearing

[pvtschultz]

I am going to say that it is the lifters that collapsed while the engine was shut down (usually over night). What happens is the oil in your lifters (hydrolic lifters) gets forced out by the open valves, when you start your car up, oil is naturally forced into the lifters and then through the valve stem and up to the valve train to provide lubrication. When the engine is cold, the oil cannot flow through the small orifaces of the lifters as quick and you get a clicking or ticking sound from the play that is the result of the "shorter" lifter, when they pump up, the sound goes away. Not a big deal, just let the engine warm up for a while before you lead foot it.

[RUC]

This is an extremely loud clicking though.

[chas]

i agree with pvtschultz. anything else would keep making noise. a sticky/collapsed lifter can be loud.

[Guardiannknight]

My alternator makes a clicking noise for about 10 to 15 seconds on cold days(around 35 degrees or below). It then goes away and I no longer here it. It's not real loud but you can hear it over the engine and the fuel injectors. I think it's always has done this, I just noticed it a little while back right before I installed a new PCV valve.

[AllTheCoolNamesAreTaken]

ok... this might sound a little funny... but did you mess with the belt? When I replaced my belt, I had a loud clicking noise during cold mornings as well.. I got mad, took it off and put it back on with care this time.. No more stupid clicking noise.. Something you want to try before considering greater problems such as engine wear..

[chas]

could be something embedded in the belt. just like when you get a rock stuck in the grooves of a tire. however, that's pretty unlikely.

[RUC]

Someone recommended lucas to alleviate this problem, but im skeptical seeing as I saw a demonstration that showed lucas counteracting the antifoaming agents in oil. Does anyone know what to try. Marvel, seafoam, etc.?

[RUC]

tried seafoam and it worked like a charm (so far) in case anyone is following this.