low mileage Buick has lifter tick. What to do?

[Digger89L]

My 2003 Buick Century has only 113,000 kms (70k miles) on the original 3.1 V6 engine. It is serviced regularly (new 5w-30 oil and filter every 3,000 miles), but about 3 months ago the engine developed a fairly noticeable lifter tick on start-up …it goes away in a minute or two, but is quite concerning for such a low mileage vehicle. Is there something I can do to resolve this without tearing into the engine? I’ve searched this forum for info, but ‘lifter tick’ brings up zero for posts …I can’t be the only one to be having a lifter tick issue ……???

Topic

[Wyr Twister]

We had several Chevy Luminas with the 3.1l V-6 . Can not remember having that problem ?

First thing that comes to mind is an oil related problem causing a problem with a hydraulic lifter . Sounds like you have been doing a good job with oil / filter changes .

I have read some oils seem to make the engine run quieter , than others . You might go to Bob is the Oil Guy forum and get some help ?

My other thought is , does any one know if this is a push rod engine ? I think so .

If going to a different oil does not help . Valve / rocker adjustment comes to mind . However that would involve tearing the engine down , to some extent .

Go down to Harbor Freight and buy a mechanic’s stethoscope . Diligently search the engine , trying to hear which part of the engine the ticking is coming from .

You never know , it could be coming from somewhere other than a lifter .

Best of luck . 🙂
God bless
Wyr

[Rich]

How do you know that what you’re hearing is in fact lifter tick? For example, could the noise be due to something other than the lifters?

[Richard Kirshy]

Can not say for certain on your specific motor …
But we have a 2001 3400 Monte Carlo that had valve train tick.
During the process of doing a head gasket job we notice that the motor had a bit of sludge build up, even though proper oil changes were performed.
After the repairs were completed, I decided to add 16 oz. of Marvel Mystery Oil with the oil change.
With in the first 15 minutes all the noise was gone.
I attribute the valve train noise to the lifters being partially clogged.
Been running like a champ since.

[James]

Have 99 Monte carlo with the 3.1

Yes it is push rod engine to question above. Nightflyr suggestion might be worth looking into.
These engines are known for there intake gasket problems. While changing mine. I noticed multiple rocker nuts were loose. THere is a torques spec with additional angle to tighten. Best of luck.

[James]

In fact, that is the 3.1 lifter valley in photo.

[Digger89L]

I’m a ‘senior’ guy …with lots of motor vehicle experience ….I KNOW what lifter-tick sounds like ….and how it typically presents (ticks on cold start ….goes away in a few minutes after the engine warms up). I’m not aware (from experience) of any other engine noise that presents this way, but I’d be happy to be further enlightened.
Yes ….I’ve heard that certain oil additives CAN solve this issue…..SeaFoam, and Marvel Mystery Oil and others (Bestline and Archoil). And, I happen to have a container each of SF and MMO on the shelf in my shop, so I guess that is my next logical move. I’ll try a half-can of SeaFoam in the crankcase first. Just had a fresh oil change last week, and need to make a 500 km trip in the next couple of days. I’ll report back after my trip. And …thank for all the comments and suggestions. Much appreciated.

[James]

These engines are also known for piston slap on cold start, better when warm with expansion. Best of luck.

[Digger89L]

This Buick was purchased new in 2003 by my late father, and I obtained it from my mother 3 years ago (when she turned 91 and decided she was too old to keep driving!) …at the time it had 22k miles on it. Up to then it was always dealer-serviced, and I have kept up the ‘required maintenance schedule’ since I bought it from my mother. I have another 2003 Buick ….with 159k miles on it that I purchased used last year. Not sure of the service history, but it runs so quiet (even on cold startup) that you can be standing right beside the engine (with the hood closed, of course) and you can barely hear it running. It is MUCH quieter than the lower mileage engine. Strange.

[Digger89L]

“Progress” report: with half a bottle (as recommended in the instructions) of SeaFoam Oil treatment in the crankcase (fresh oil …only about 200 km since oil / filter change) and more than 500 kms on the trip meter, there has been no noticeable improvement of the ‘start-up’ tick on my Buick. So, on to step 2 ..Marvel Mystery Oil. Should I add the half-bottle of MMO to my already Sea Foam diluted oil, or should do an oil change first? Any comments??

[Richard Kirshy]

I would not dilute the existing oil any further.
Would do a oil and filter change
Suggest adding 20% MMO ( as directed ) to the total fill requirement IE if 5qts are required with a new filter.
Use 4qts of oil and 1 qt of MMO.

If after adding MMO and driving for 300 – 500 miles you see no change.
You might consider removing the valve covers, inspect for any loose rocker arm assemblies or loose push rods both in the relaxed and compressed state.

[Digger89L]

Thanks …sounds like a plan. In the meantime, if I end up going the next step, can someone direct me to a tutorial (video?) on how to remove the valve covers. Is this a ‘small’ job …or do I have set aside an entire Saturday? What parts (gaskets) should I have on hand for the re-assembly?

[Richard Kirshy]

Actually it isn’t all that difficult, though it will take a couple of hours ..

Granted this video cover head gasket replacement, but should show you the basics to get the valve covers removed if needed.

[Digger89L]

Thanks for the link …but WOW !!! …30 secs in and I was completely nauseous from all the camera motion! Was this guy wearing a ‘helmet cam’ ???

I think I’ll try a google search again, and see if I can find a guy who didn’t have 12 cups of strong coffee before he started to take his engine apart!!! LOL

[Richard Kirshy]

Motion sickness not with standing ..
That happens to be one of the best detailed disassembly / reassembly videos on that engine.
Best of luck and keep us posted

[Digger89L]

Been thru most of it now ….and some others. They all seem to go further than just removing the valve covers, as they are dealing with either intake manifold or head gasket replacement. None seem to address just going after the valve covers at all
…which seems like it should be a lot less complicated than removing the entire intake manifold, throttle body, alternator, etc., etc. Or, am I wrong??

[Author]

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