I have a small ticking noise when I first start my car and it quiets down a little but still there is a hint of it there and i hear it more when i accelerate but the problem it the engine still runs smooth...I had a tech check it out for an exhaust leak but he said to take it to an exhaust specialist because of a small hole near the crossmember or something like that?? Is this something I can repair myself or do I need to spend money to have it welded??

 

Any update. Pretty sure this is common. Lifter tick?

 

It's probably just a lifter tick. I have 115k on my 3.8 (parents bought car new) and it has had a small tick to it for as long as I can remember, never gotten worse or anything.

 

I have similar, very subtle, my RS is at ~79k...

 

my car has over 200,000 and is the original engine

 

a lifter is probably out of adustment due to wear of the lifter itself, rocker, or cam lobe. but at 200,000 miles not bad

 

Gotta love the 3.8 durability. Or at least on our RWD versions that don't have the plastic intake like the Impala, Lesabre, Regal and the rest of them.