2003 3100 GP ticking on cold start

[rknapp141]

As the title says, my 2003 3100 makes a noticeable ticking noise (can hear it from inside the car with or without the radio) on cold start. So far it only does it occasionally, for example it did it yesterday after sitting for close to 11 hours when I started it in 25* midday weather, but it didn't do it this evening after sitting for 15 hours in similar weather.

At first, the ticking started a few seconds after intial startup and disappeared after warming up (literally vanished when idle RPM dropped from 1500 to 900), though now it seems to stay with me for several minutes after warm up, until the engine is at operating temperature.

I took it to goodyear the day following the first incident for transmission and cooling system service, so I asked them to take a look. Since they couldn't reproduce the noise, they said maybe the oil pressure was low. I added oil in case it was that, because maybe it was just so cold that the oil was too thick to get through the engine quickly.

That didn't solve it, so I came here and found this TSB: Bulletin No.: 57-61-24A talking about ticking/rattling on cold start-up and having to do with the pistin pin tolerances. I'm hoping that isn't it, since the TSB goes to 98 and nothing came out after that, and that would be very expensive to fix! Any ideas guys? I searched for it but came up empty handed, TIA!

[PCGUY112887]

It's called piston slap, happens is virtually every 3x00 engine. Mine does it (96), friends Alero does it (00), moms Buick does it (03).

Doesn't seem to hurt anything.

[rknapp141]

I hope it doesn't hurt anything, as I can't afford a replacement car or engine until 2012. It just reminds me so much of my old 2000 2.7L Intrepid. It's my old car since it threw a rod after making noises like that for six months.

[jjcom]

Doesn't sound like anything to worry about, my GP does it too, a 96 with a 3100. Mom's 01 GP SE does it too, not quite as loud though.

[86euro]

I hope it doesn't hurt anything, as I can't afford a replacement car or engine until 2012. It just reminds me so much of my old 2000 2.7L Intrepid. It's my old car since it threw a rod after making noises like that for six months.

I'l go ahead and say this since you no longer have the car, those things are junk! I work at a body shop/garage, and those cars alone could probably keep our doors open.
I agree, sounds like the standard GM tick, nothing to worry about.

[rknapp141]

Yeah but it's only that one motor that is horrible, since the genius who designed it put the waterpump INSIDE the motor... and we all know what happens when oil and water mix!

[rknapp141]

One final clarification, is it safe at all to drive the car while the ticking is happening? I ask because it seems to like going for ten minutes before completely dissapating, and it makes me shudder to give it the gas and hear the ticking increase with RPM.

[PCGUY112887]

I'm easy on the car when it's cold and doing that but it's fine to drive.

I think there was a lawsuit against GM for it... but like every other lawsuit I think GM won.

[Rhedalert]

Seriously, half a bottle of this at every oil change will shut it up. My sister has a '02 Grand Prix with the 3100, same typical (non-harmful) noises. But this makes the morning tick nearly non existent.

[PCGUY112887]

Seriously, half a bottle of this at every oil change will shut it up. My sister has a '02 Grand Prix with the 3100, same typical (non-harmful) noises. But this makes the morning tick nearly non existent.

If you have valve train noise maybe... but that won't do jack for piston slap.

[Young Whitey]

The only thing that stp stuff will do is make your oil thicker. if thats what you want use a thicker oil.

[Rhedalert]

Yeah, you could go with a thicker oil, supposedly castrol 10w40 is a good one for keeping things quiet. The STP does have a bit more zinc and other anti wear additives vs oil however.

[Bowtie70SS]

Piston slap won't hurt anything...on high performance engines with forged pistons they all make noise when they are cold.

Dave