Well last night, it was feeling nice as hell outside, so when I got off of work (2:30am) I turned the music up and went joyriding. No cops out. I pushed my car kinda hard for about 45 min on the long way home. Well I go out and start my car this afternoon, and there is a ticking sound. It didnt make this sound last night either. So I poped the hood, and sure enough, its coming from the passenger side valve covers. My dad got pissed at me and said it was probably a lifter or push rod getting ready to go. He said it was from not letting my car warm up before school. He also said that my car wasnt the V8 and that I cant be ******* it like one. I didnt even tell him about the night before.

Well I had to get to work, so I had to drive it. As I would accelerate (not getting on the gas hardly at all) the ticking would get faster. So I just turned the music up and drowned it out. Well I get into town, and wouldnt you know, it was gone! So now I am left with some questions as to what the hell is going on.


So, my questions are
1) Could it just be from the sudden change of weather (66* from 35*)

2)Me beating the hell out of my car the night before
3)Not letting it warm up
4)Is this something that I need to get checked out

My warranty covers the drivetrain, so hopefully it will cover this. Thanks for any help guys.

 

My sisters 99 just did the same thing. It was ticking very loud. We had a lifter replaced in it...a few weeks later it locked up completely

Now she is in the process of having a new motor put in, and her firebird only has 67k miles on it

 

Might just be the common "cold start lifter noise". I notice a lot on our cars that on first start up, we'll get a "ticking" noise. Some cars its more noticable than others. Generally, the colder it is, the louder the tick.

I know during winter time, upon start up, it will tick for about 2 minutes or so then go away. I've tried different types of oils...no luck.

If that is what you are talking about, no biggie.

 

yeah, thats what it is. My mechanic told me the exact same thing....