Tapping noise?

[Bazooka SHO]

I just completed the 60K service on my 93 ATX. Did not notice the sound before, may have been there? When I first start it up in the morning I can here a tapping sound for about 3 seconds. Then all is ok. Someone told me it may be time to do the rod bearings. I plan on pulling the oil pan soon to inspect them anyway. Has anyone else had this problem.

93ATX
105,000 miles
60K
190 Fuel pump
New Injectors

 

[Mr Anonymous]

Any chance you're using synthetic 5W30 oil? In your climate that might be responsible for a couple seconds of oil starvation to the valve train on startup.

 

[Bazooka SHO]

Forgot to mention. I first used 10w-30 conventional oil. Then I switched to 20w-50 conventional oil. Same thing with both weights. Also am using motorcraft filter, will be changing to K&N next oil change. Does it regardless of outside temp.

 

[munkee]

Thats pretty thick oil for the sho. I think you would be better off with the 5w30.

 

[sdpatt]

In San Antonio? You never need 5W-30 oil. The 10W-30 should be the weight of choice (with healthy bearings). Year 'round. It does sound like oil starvation problems at one or the other locations. Have someone else turn the key in the mornong while you train an ear on the engine. The valve train noise should be evident at the top of the engine. The rod bearings will come from lower in the engine.

85% of fixing something is finding out what is wrong.

 

[Bazooka SHO]

Thanks for the input people. I've had the SHO for about 5 months now. I enjoy driving it every day and wish for this to continue. I will probably do the rod bearing replacement soon anyway as I have 106,000 miles on it now. Down here in SA we get very hot summers 100 + degF I have always ran 20w50 in the summer and 10w30 in the cooler months in my other vehicles. I don't like the thin oils when the temps are over 95 degF.

<small>[ April 07, 2003, 10:01 AM: Message edited by: Bazooka SHO ]</small>

 

[sdpatt]

Bazooka SHO (can I call you BS?), the maximum recommended weight is 10W-30 for temperatures from 0F to as high as we get in Texas. You are subjecting your engine, its oil pump and its bearings to conditions that were not within the boundaries of the specifications for the engine. If you need this oil weight to stop a noise, then you need to fix the cause of the noise and use the correct oil weight (10W-30 recommended year 'round for our climate). There will be a price to pay for the use of this oil weight.