Engine Noise

[obear]

Chevy Lumina 1997 3.1L - makes this noise on first start up of the day or when the engine is cool. I've been told this is the lifters and I should do an oil change to clean out any build up inside. I currently use 10W-30 oil. I would appreciate your thoughts on what the sound may be.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHvpoAjcu6w

[punkr6]

WOW, thats really bad. So it only does this at start up ?

[obear]

Yes, but I noticed the other night it slightly made the noise towards the end of my drive after 20miles when it was rainingn out so it was very cool. But the sound was very hard to hear at that point not like it is now.

[punkr6]

if its only doing it at start up, its most likly lifters, but that sounds a lot like rods and lifters on the video. did you run it low on oil at some point ?

[obear]

car has an oil pan gasket leak so it may have been low, but i check/fill every few days and the leak is not too bad.

[punkr6]

must have ran it low at some point. I would replace or rebuild the engine before it leaves you on the side of the highway....

[obear]

Well, I just drove it to the mechanic and the sound went away in 3mi. Safe to drive or no? I'm gonna have to leave the car at the mechanics sometime during the week so he can get a cold start.

[Barefoot]

real talk just replace that engine that 3000 series is all crap anyways. i think its a rod.