Clicking sound when engine is cold.. goes away when warm.

How many miles on the engine? Aside from first checking the oil level, it
may be sticking valve lifters (gummed up from old age, not to mention lack
of clean oil -- when the engine gets hot enough they loosen up a bit). One
thing you can try is dumping a quart of ATF into the oil just before your
next oil change (like just before you drive to the garage or otherwise heat
up the oil for the change). ATF has a variety of cleaners in it that will
help get much of the crud out. (I actually put it in a week before changing
the oil on my old Dodge truck, and it was amazing how much dirt came out.
ATF has a scary low viscosity, but that's not too awful in the dead of
winter, especially since it also has some esoteric high pressure lubricants
& metal treatments.) If a good internal cleaning doesn't do the trick, check
to see if the lifter clearances on this engine are adjustable (some engines
not, and some yes -- you can look under the valve covers or check with a
manual or good mechanic). If they're adjustable, adjusting them is easy.
With the engine fully warmed up and idling, you loosen the retaining nut (at
the top of the post holding the rocker arm) with a socket wrench until you
clearly hear a definite rapping noise. Then you tighten it down, one gradual
quarter turn at a time (too much too fast & the engine will stall) until the
rapping noise has gone, then tighten down another half to a full turn.
Because valve adjustment is labor intensive and doesn't involve ripping you
off for any parts other than new valve cover gaskets, most mechanics never
do them, and if they're adjustable they *will* get too loose over time.

"arcooke" <none.RemoveThis@000.com> wrote in message
news:967254_2b231a0188d32a03cba01c189ab948ce@autoboardz.com...
> Hi guys. I was driving my mother’s 2000 Dodge Ram (V yesterday and
> noticed a clicking sound when I started it up. She said she hasn’t
> changed her oil in quite a while so maybe that has something to do
> with it. Anyway, here’s the deal...
>
> The truck starts fine, idles fine, everything works great. However,
> while it’s idling, there’s a noticeable clicking sound that seems to
> click in unison with the sound of the engine. As I accelerated, the
> sound would get louder and faster. Once the engine was warmed up, the
> sound went away and the truck sounded healthy again. This is the
> first time the sound has been noticed. It has been pretty cold
> outside too.. hovering around freezing for the past week or so. Maybe
> that has something to do with it along with the old oil?
>
> As for what it sounds like, imagine repeatedly smacking a dipstick
> against the frame of a car.. a metal against metal clicking sound
> sound, slightly muffled, and pretty quiet.
>
> Any idea what this could possibly be?
>
>
>
> Thanks
>
> --
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>
 >> Stay informed about: Clicking sound when engine is cold.. goes away when warm. 

arcooke wrote:
> Hi guys. I was driving my mother’s 2000 Dodge Ram (V yesterday and
> noticed a clicking sound when I started it up. She said she hasn’t
> changed her oil in quite a while so maybe that has something to do
> with it. Anyway, here’s the deal...
>
> The truck starts fine, idles fine, everything works great. However,
> while it’s idling, there’s a noticeable clicking sound that seems to
> click in unison with the sound of the engine. As I accelerated, the
> sound would get louder and faster. Once the engine was warmed up, the
> sound went away and the truck sounded healthy again. This is the
> first time the sound has been noticed. It has been pretty cold
> outside too.. hovering around freezing for the past week or so. Maybe
> that has something to do with it along with the old oil?
>
> As for what it sounds like, imagine repeatedly smacking a dipstick
> against the frame of a car.. a metal against metal clicking sound
> sound, slightly muffled, and pretty quiet.
>
> Any idea what this could possibly be?
>
>
>
> Thanks
>
Could be an exhaust leak between the manifold and head. As the engine
warms up the parts expand and seal the leak. Retorque the manifold
bolts, using a torque wrench, when the engine is cold. Definitely change
the oil every 3000 miles, 2000 for frequent short trips.

Gyz
 >> Stay informed about: Clicking sound when engine is cold.. goes away when warm.