Whenever I start my car from a cold start, I can hear a knock coming from the top of the engine on the passenger side. When the car gets to the ~195 temp range its not as noticeable. Any ideas?

95 3.4L

Jordan

 

my guess is a pushrod or lifter may be clogged. or a loose rocker.

Massey

 

Is the noise really a knock, a heavy, deep sound? A knock usually come from the bottom end.
A lighter, sharper sound that comes from the top of the engine is usually called a tap. Think of the sound made if you tap a bolt against a pane of glass. That type of noise is usually a valvetrain problem. As Massey says a lifter with dirt in it is possible. This moise is most common following a cold start when the lifter needs to fill up with oil. The tap usually shows up suddenly and can persist or can disappear just as quickly.
If a cam lobe has worn away (or a pushrod tip) the noise will increase gradually.
An engine oil analysis (by a company like Blackstone Labs) will tell you a lot about what's going on in there. Coolant? Steel powder? Bearing material? Cast iron powder?

 

My guess is a sticky lifter if you're hearing it from one side in the top end.

 

I think i have the same problem, It's, as you said, more like a tap, from the passenger side, but not from the top, but like middle. It comes only after a cold start, and would be unnoticeable after you drive for like 400-500ft or so. Is there anyway to check what it is easily?

 

cold lifter tick,, not a huge deal, but when you have the extra money id get it taken car of

 

I had a slight tap on start up. I just did a oil change and it went away. You might be using too thick of an oil and thats why its no lubing right. On my friends mx5 he had a loud tap which was consistent at all rpms and after doing an oil change it went away asap as well.

EDIT: Even if your dipstick says full do an oil change because those damn dipsticks have lied to me numerous times.

 

i've been using synthetic, but someone had said i should use regular since the car has 170k on it now..! any opinions?

 

Huh dont know if that could cause it since ive never used synthetic. Might be worth a try but let someone elsechime first.

 

I've been using synthetic since I bought my car and it had 180xxx on the odometer at tge time. What weight oil do you use? I use the mobil 1 10w40