Urgent Help

[XC runner]

So my car is making this noise (2000 Alero with the 3400, only 43k miles). And when I start it... it sounds like a valve is wacking the valve cover or something. It gets faster as you rev it, and doens't go away. No SES light or anything.

At first I thought maybe my engine started piston slapping like they usually do, but this is not the same sound and is quite loud. Any ideas what it may be? I want to have a local shop look at it to get a def. answer but is it save to drive a short trip with it?

Thanks.

[sound_xtreme]

i'd say lifters are ticking. u should change your oil and check your coolant level. sounds like your oil cant lubricate em properly. and you probably have coolant leaking into your oil. check that and DO NOT DRIVE IT FAR. that is seriously harmful for your motor.

[XC runner]

It turns out I was low on oil, so I went to the store, got some more, filled it up, turned it back on, no noise. That following weekend I changed the oil, and also no noise, so then it was about a week later and I was driving at night with a friend, pulled over turned it off, waited about 10 min for a friend to get ready, went to their house, picked them up, and I turned the car off when I got there, when I came back to leave with my friend, the noise started, so I shut it off, then checked the oil, and it was just fine, got it home, decided I would call the shop in the morning. Well the next morning came around, I turned the car on so I could get a good description of the noise, but there was no noise. Why is this randomly making the noise, then stopping? Is it getting too hot?

[Alero2k4]

My fiance ran her car low on oil and it ticks intermittantly ever since it happened. Answer is more likely than not new lifters, eventually new valves if you let it go.... (look in the dictionary under EXPENSIVE).... Unless the ones on your engine are an adjustable style, it could be really expensive to fix, your best bet is it to check with a mechanic you trust. More likely than not, it is just going to be an annoyance, not really serious, but just have a mech check it out...and keep an eye on your oil level!!!!!

Before I forget, go to an auto store and get an oil additive like lucas and that will also quiet the valvetrain down a little. Good luck man.

[whitey_alero]

my car also did somewhat the same thing....a friend of mine did some research and found out on some site that if i can find it or remember it said that all alero's grand am's and such with the 3400 in them have the "3400 knock" and what i got out of it was that it is some kind of connecting rod pin of some kind or something and it isnt bad or uncommon but it only ticks at low rpm 1000-1500. i dont know if this will help you but its something that i thought might help you or maybe someone else.