On Sat Dec-17-2011 21:08, Mark Hofmann (1:261/1304) wrote to Roger Nelson:   
      
   RN> I'm late (but still alive) in this thread and it sounds like a tappet   
   RN> noise.  I don't know if you have solid or hydraulic lifters, but if    
   RN> either is properly set, and I don't believe in "Mechanic in a can"    
   RN> although sometimes it can help.  So, you can try either Bardahl top    
   RN> oil or put a container of STP oil treatment in the crankcase and    
   RN> see if that helps.  It sounds like some blockage is slowing down    
   RN> the oil from gettting to the lifters.  The blockage could even be    
   RN> in the oil pump filter (Wow!  Is that and oldie!).   
      
   RN> I've been away from this stuff longer than Roy, but I'm a pretty good   
   RN> guesser.  (-:   
      
    MH> Here is the story in 30 seconds or less.  :)   
      
   You were counting?  (-:   
      
    MH> The engine has done this since day one when I got it - this spring.   
    MH> It is a Jasper new/rebuilt motor with a 3 year / 100k warranty.  It   
    MH> runs perfect, but just has that tap noise for less than a minute on   
    MH> cold starts (after it has been sitting for more than 5 hours).     
      
    MH> Many say this is normal for many GM motors and not to worry about   
    MH> it.  If a problem does happen, it gets fixed or replaced for free.   
      
   Maybe.  I've owned Chevys most of my life, until I was stupid enough to trade   
   my truck for a Lincoln. My sense is that it is probably one lifter or perhaps   
   a valve causing the problem.  That's pretty hard to discover without a   
   stethoscope.   
      
    MH> The type of oil I use doesn't seem to have any effect.  The warmer   
    MH> it is, the less time it does it.  The colder, the longer.  At least   
    MH> that is what it seems.    
      
    MH> It never does it longer than around a minute at the most.    
    MH> Typically, around 30 seconds or so.   
      
   It may be mothing or it may be something waiting to bite you in the rear at   
   some point in the future.  Whichever it is, I sincerely hope it isn't bad   
   news.  Sorry I couldn't be of more help.   
      
      
   Regards,   
      
   Roger    
   --- timEd/386 1.10.y2k+   
    * Origin: NCS BBS - Houma, LA - (1:3828/7)