My car ticks when I start it up in mornings. It's clearly related to temperature as it dissapears after a while. When moving forward really slowly the ticking is really slow and it increases in rate as you speed up.

Is this anything serious?

 

None of this "ticking" while the car is sitting still, idling in neutral?

 

I am not sure. I had already begun moving when I heard the sound. I wouldn't say thats impossible. What would you say it is then if that turns out to be true? I'll have to check tomorrow when the engine is cold again.

 

Well, it didn't tick at all this morning. Maye it wasn't cold enough.

 

I have had a similiar problem with my Chevy Lumina, turns out it was the oil and filter, I used FRAM (oil filters and Pennzoil), and switched it to an AC/Delco (oil filter) and (Quaker State oil), the ticking has subsided after a while. The car only did it on "cold" start ups, and especially, on cold PA winter mornings.

 

it is more than likely a liffter/

adjust all your valves through the rocker arm nuts if this does not solve the problem then put a quart of trans fluid in the oil. remove and drain the oil filter twice this will give you enough room for the extra quart.let it warm up completly and then drive it 20 miles like a grandma. drain and fill with fresh oil.

You see the engine when it gets dirty places deposits on the plunger hole of the lifter and oil cannot enter when the preasure is low at low rpms when the preasure increases with rpm the noise goes away slightly because the oil is just getting through.the trans fluid will clean all that out.

adjust the rockers first and remember if you use the trans fluid drive like grandma! unless she has a stroked Chevelle SS

 

How do I adjust the rockers? Never done anything like it. Is the procedure listed in my Haynes Manual(can't check now. @ work)?

 

Could be an exhaust leak.