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knock/tick only on startup

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Old Sep 9, 2011 | 08:46 AM
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Default knock/tick only on startup

Long time reader, first time poster. I have a '06 GXP 58k miles no mods. Recently changed the oil after I bought it, Mobil 1 full synthetic 5w30, fram extra guard oil filter. Now my car ticks when you start it. Not so bad when its 70+ in the morning but we've had a few 50 degree mornings here and its definitely louder. Weird thing is, if you bring up the rpms to say, 1000, and let it drop down it goes away and does not come back til the block gets cold again. Doesn't do it any other time, ever. Never on the street or highway, only when it first starts up and if you don't rev it a little it goes away on its own. Any ideas?
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Old Sep 9, 2011 | 09:23 AM
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Sounds like it's just some lifter noise in colder temps at startup. My Monte does this once in a great while. When it happens, it ticks for about 15 seconds or so and then just goes away. Nothing to really be worried about unless it doesn't stop ticking.
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Old Sep 9, 2011 | 11:01 AM
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I would make sure there is enough oil in your car. My GXP does the same thing but goes away once the oil heats up. However i run MUCH thicker oil in my car so i expect that to happen.
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Old Sep 9, 2011 | 11:52 AM
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Ive always been religious about monitoring oil consumption in my cars, especially this one, since I heard some of these cars burn it off when in dod mode. I haven't noticed it dropping off any. But what about too much? The lube guy said it took 6.5 quarts. That seemed high to me but all I've owned before this is late model Cadillacs, so I figured they knew best.
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Old Sep 9, 2011 | 12:01 PM
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they take 6 qts
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Old Sep 9, 2011 | 12:19 PM
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If by chance you are still under warranty they replaced all 16 of my lifters no questions asked, just told them about the tap tap, they didn't even go in to check them out. There is a TSB on the lifters for these cars which makes it easy for them to justify doing the work. I had the same cold start issue wasn't major.
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Old Sep 9, 2011 | 12:49 PM
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No, the car is just out of warranty, so the stealership wouldn't be an option at this point. I'm sure this is the first time its had synthetic in it, is it possible it just knocked some buildup loose, or should i switch back to conventional? Should I just go ahead and replace the lifters myself, and anything else I should do while I'm in there? Not looking to do extensive mods, its my dd (for now).
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Old Sep 9, 2011 | 01:40 PM
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did you do the oil change or have the dealership do it?
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Old Sep 9, 2011 | 06:27 PM
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Had a local lube joint do it, only cause they were running a special on synthetic oil.
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Old Sep 9, 2011 | 06:44 PM
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My car takes 6.5 quarts. This totally fills it to the last hash mark.

-Mike
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Old Sep 9, 2011 | 11:32 PM
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Originally Posted by Mgpeagle
My car takes 6.5 quarts. This totally fills it to the last hash mark.

-Mike
Engine oil cooler?
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Old Sep 10, 2011 | 12:44 PM
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I don't have one if you were directing that to me. I just went out and started her again, I know diagnosing noises over the interwebs is a fine art lol... its less of a tick than a light knock, but as stated if I rev the engine a little it goes away. A friend of mine told me that the vortec blocks these ls4's are derived from had a similar issue which could easily be solved with an extra capacity oil filter. Does anyone know if there's any truth to this? I'm fairly savvy when it comes to cars and engines but my knowledge on the ls family engines is limited at best, but don't be afraid to get technical with me. I paid fifteen grand for this car, I aim to make it last forever lol so maybe I'm just freaking out over nothing. I plan on changing the oil myself next weekend with Mobil 1 full syn and a different oil filter this time, and see if it goes away. I haven't heard the most fantastic things about Fram to begin with.
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Old Sep 10, 2011 | 01:03 PM
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Originally Posted by gxpintn
I don't have one if you were directing that to me...
No...That was to Mike (Mgpeagle).
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Old Sep 10, 2011 | 05:52 PM
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No. No engine oil cooler. It's been that way since I purchased it in 06. The car doesn't burn or leak oil either.

-Mike
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