Valve noise when the engine is cold

JOSE COTTO · Mar 8th, 2005, 02:28 AM

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I have a 1995 Pathfinder every time i start my engine when is cold I hear this freaking valve noise that gets on my nerves i want to know if you guys know how i can get rid of this. The noise goes away after the egine gets warm up.

veesix · Mar 8th, 2005, 01:02 PM

The noise could be a busted exhaust manifold stud.

You can pick up a mechanic's stethoscope at Sears for about 11 bucks. Open up the hood, set the emergency brake, start her up and move to the engine bay. The stethoscope will help to locate the problem.

veesix

Zilverado · Mar 8th, 2005, 01:15 PM

It's a "ticking" sound, right? My money is also on exhaust - - either a broken stud or a bad gasket. The heat of the engine causes the parts to expand, sealing off the leak, and the "ticking" goes away, often within minutes, or even seconds.

I had one of my manifold gaskets go a number of years back, and I described it to the mechanic as a valve noise as well. He said that given the history of these vehicles, his guess was exhaust, and he was right. The other side is now doing the same thing. I'm hoping to tackle this project myself this summer.

JOSE COTTO · Mar 9th, 2005, 05:48 AM

I will try all does things i will let you guys know, Thanks

**88pathoffroad** · Mar 9th, 2005, 10:05 PM

Valves don't tick until they warm up, they tick until they fill with oil, which shouldn't take more than 10 seconds or so...I think your problem lies within the exhaust manifolds.

Bror Jace · Mar 10th, 2005, 09:41 PM

I don't know the layout of the valvetrain on this motor but a loud 'ticking' sound at start-up which suddenly goes away after 30-90 seconds is usually a bad/stuck lifter. Crud builds up in and around the lifter and this will click like mad until it is cleaned or otherwise dislodged.

Try a couple short-duration oil changes ... especially with gas-diesel ("heavy duty") motor oils in 5W-40 or 15W-40. These have extra detergents and dispersants. A good, safe way to clean some sludge out of a neglected motor.

If it's a 'knocking' sound which is bad in the cold, but goes away gradually as the car warms up, this might be "piston slap" which is the worn piston skirt allowing the piston to rock (or slap) back and foerth in the shrunken (cold) cylinder. As the engine warms up, the metal expands and the amount of play is reduced ... and so is the noise.