I went to leave for work last night and had a helluva tapping noise for a few secs and it went away :eek:. It was loud enough that my neighbor heard it when he walked by. It happened only once before about a month ago. At that time I passed it off as maybe the abs pump test cycling(my lesabre used to do it). Now im thinking its more like a lifter not pumping up? It only has 7600mi with dealer oil in it up to level and plenty of oil life left. I know if I take it in it wont do it for them! Anybody else with this problem?

Like a valve tap noise? Did it get worse with revs?

The LSJ in my Cobalt SS did that from time to time... and I have heard other Ecotec engines doing it as well. We never could find a problem or the source that made the sound. It generally goes away after the engine has warmed up.

My 2010 2.4 has done it at times. It has close to 10,000 miles on it and oil is changed every 3,000 miles. No rhyme or reason as to when it happens. Sometimes the car has sat idle for a couple of hours and not overnight and would make the noise on startup. A check of the oil each time was that it was full. I think every car I've had has made a noise similar from time to time.

Mr. Bill
Hamlet, NC

I haven't heard any tapping noises on my ION and Malibu (both ECOTECs). Tapping would mean too much clearance or not enough lubrication. I have a suspicion that aftermarket oil filters with poorly fitting anti-drainback O-rings may be responsible.

I would hope that the dealership would use the correct filter. The dealership is the only one servicing my car.

Mr. Bill
Hamlet, NC

Like a valve tap noise? Did it get worse with revs?

no it was quiet after that. It had been sitting all day and it did it right away for like 3 seconds. My neighbor is the sales manager at the local dealer(I didnt buy it there btw) and he said I should take it in just to have it documented. It should have a factory filter in it