engine noise

[Prospeeder]

My 1990 Pontiac 6000 LE 3.1 MPFI V6 car is makin a somewhat loud clack click clack, in almost a rythm, then it wil stop for a second, then keep going, the car will idle pretty poor like it misses a beat, its odd, but when u bairly raise the rpms, the noise stays constant and faster, but any higher and it imeidiatly stops the noise and the engine runs super smooth and quiet. Is this sounding like a lifter issue or timing chain, the car has 218k on the original engine i belive, so the chain may be worn out, but do that make noises like that, or does a lifter sound more like that?

[gramatt73]

I had the same thing. Pull the valve cover off the side where the noise is comming from, hopfully the front. The keeper that holds the push rod broke and the rod is hitting the cover. Its a cheap fix, about $5 for the braket. You might need a new rod too, I did. Takes a bit to take the intake manifold off, I did it in about an hour and a half.