Hey All,
My wife has a 2001 V-6 with only 58,000 miles on it. I run full synthetic in it and she drives it like, well, an old lady.I changed the oil only 2,000 miles ago and it is still clean. When we started it up this morning the ticking started. It only lasted about 1-3 minutes then the engine ran smooth. Temp outside was about 50 degrees.
I checked the oil pressure and it was between 60-70 psi. I ran it down the road and it ran fine,quiet as can be. Then later on this afternoon the same thing. I start it, it ticks for about a minute then runs fine. Oil pressure is good at startup. The way I have taken care of this car it should not be doing this??? I use a delco oil filter that has the built in check valve to keep the oil in the engine so I'm just scratchin my head. Any ideas??

 

Possibly a lifter or could be an exhaust leak. Both tend to sound the same unless you have your head stuck down in between the valve cover and manifold.

 

My bet is exhaust leak that seals itself as the engine heats up and the gasket expands but can't say for sure since the car isn't here.

 

Thanks for the replies. If it were an exhaust leak would it quiet down that fast? I will have to put my ear to it and see. Thanks for the help guys. I was worried thst it might be a lifter or something.

 

Still could be a lifter or something else. Exhaust was just my best guess with out being where the car is