Bought this 2000 rs 3.8L a while back haven't had any problems until about a month ago. When I get in it to crank it for the first time everyday it taps and misses slightly, however the tap is getting louder and louder by day. When I let it warm up a little or give it a little gas for a bit it stops. Its sad to say but I don't know when the last tune up was and this might be the cause of the missing. I was thinking it might be the oil strainer getting clogged or the oil pump going out making the tapping since the problem corrects itself. Was thinking about replacing them, but i'm sure most of you know this is a pretty good size job at home. I don't mind doing the work just don't want to put a lot of time and cash into it and it not to have even been the problem. Anyone else ever ran into this problem or have any other ideas or second my ideas? And if I am wrong please let me know I wont feel stupid.

 

You do check your oil level regularly in-between oil changes and add as needed, right?

 

Yes, I keep all of my cars changed at 3000 every time. I've worked at a quick lube shop for four years so I keep all of that in routine.

 

If the miss is related to the tap then you have a problem. I like to try Mobil 1 oil change and a Mobil filter and give it a week before I get too worried. Many cars come around which means it is just a little dirt stuck in a lifter. You could try a little sea foam in before you change the oil and let it idle for 20 minutes or so.

If the tapping is also causing the miss at idle that means you cam has had it but if the oil swap fixs the noise then there is a good change that the suspected need for a tune up is valid. I have known GM cars to tap for years with not change in the way they drive under normal use.

 

Well that's good. So since you said the tapping goes away after the car has warmed up, that may well be "normal" for a GM engine. I have the same thing on my SS.

See:
GM Piston Slap -- Like a Knock

 

I second giving the synthetic oil change a try. Synthetic is good at cleaning gunk out, and I've had it help stop an initial noisy lifter condition. One thing you didn't say, is whether or not the engine miss goes away once the lifter noise stops?

 

Try seafoam before you change the oil though.

 

Seafoam isn't an oil, its a cleaner. What you wanna do is put a third of the can in your oil, a third in your brake booster line, and a third in the gas tank. Let the car run for a couple mins after you put it in and then shut it off and let it sit (preferably over night). Start the car after sitting and let it warm up, then either drive it or rev it until it is done blowing white smoke out of your exhaust. Change oil and filter and enjoy

 

k thanks man ill try it out

 

Since your engine flattens out when the lifter(s) quiets down, I'd say one or more are gunked up and/or not pumping up fully till it warms up. That will cause your valves to not operate correctly, which can be your sputter/miss.