Greetings, I am new to the forum. Just bought my first Bonneville two weeks ago (2000 SSEI Supercharged) found this forum and have been reading some of the posts.

Couple weeks after buying it, it started to make a loud clacking sound when cold that goes to tapping and then disappears and the engine smooths out. Could this be a bad lifter? (I'm not sure if this is an overhead cam engine.)

Any help would be greatly appreciated as this is my wife'* car and I don't want her getting stuck somewhere.

Thank you in advance for any and all help.

D. Blackman

You should stop driving it ASAP and have the lower intake gasket checked to see if it'* leaking. You may have coolant mixed with the oil and that'* where the ticking/clanking is coming from. Every minute you run your engine like that is more damage being caused to the engine. I ultimately had to replace my engine because of it. If you just bought your car, i suggest taking it back and either have them fix it or hopefully you have a warranty.

Check your oil dipstick and see if it looks like milky peanut butter color. I would also get that oil changed ASAP. Are you getting any check engine lights? And how many miles?

I agree. Your coolant (the evil DEXcool) may have destroyed your lower intake manifold gaskets to the point that you're eating coolant and water, degrading your lifters.

Check that oil ASAP. After running it for a few minutes to stir it up.

I'd also like to know how many miles on the car, and how full your coolant reservior is.

milages is 67000 and oil is clean and no water, water res is right where it was the day i got it. and as for returning it or getting it fixed, the place i got it has very strict rules on happy customers, and i wish i know that before i layed out 8500.00 but live and learn.

now i have to deal with it so no water no lose of coolant what is left bad lifter, bent rocker arm but what kills me after about 20 seconds it disapears and the engin runs like a watch.

and on a differant front what should the boost gauge be reading at idel never had a super charger before.
thanks
Dennis

Boost gauge should be slightly above zero at idle. Before i replaced my motor, my engine did the same exact thing. When i started the car, it would make a ticking/knocking type sound for a few seconds to a minute or so then it would go away. Coolant was in my oil causing that noise and damaging my engine.

Go have your oil changed ASAP (like tomorrow). If the noise goes away, then you had coolant in your oil and it will return. If the noise remains, then you can look at lifters, etc. Also, make sure you're running PREMIUM unleaded only in that car.

Boost gauge should NOT be anywhere near Zero at idle. It should be full or nearly full negative.

Changing the oil will not normally 'fix' a ticking lifter. I suggest getting a $10 mechanic'* stethescope and try to narrow down the noise on a cold idle.

Boost gauge should NOT be anywhere near Zero at idle. It should be full or nearly full negative.

Changing the oil will not normally 'fix' a ticking lifter. I suggest getting a $10 mechanic'* stethescope and try to narrow down the noise on a cold idle.[/quote]

i tryed a stethescope but it ends to soon buy time i get it started and get to the engin its gone and i only get one shot at it a day. well i guess HI HO, HI HO. its off to the pontiac dealer i go, i love laying out $95.00 an hour unless they have gone up sence then i well find out tomorrow i guess, i realy wanted to do this one myself its been a long time sence i got oil on my hands. i was kind of missing it.

thanks
Dennis

It is possible you may just have a sticking lifter. My old '92 SSE did that once in a while. You could try a can of upper valve lube (I swear by Marvel Mystery Oil added to crankcase). If you do have a slightly sticking lifter that should take care of it. I would not worry one bit about the Marvel hurting anything. I run a can in my '95 show Vette about every other year for one oil change cycle. The inside of my valve covers look like showroom.

Keep on posted.

funny you should say that im a rislon motor honey man myself, but its all top oil.
went out tonight and put a can in to see if it helps, and yes i ran it till it was hot around town. man i got to say im 52 and a old mopar man, but that bonneville is NICE!!!!!!!. even with the crap im dealing with that is one car you can fall in love with.
Dennis

Dennis, the problem you seem to have isn't common at all. But we do need to get to the bottom of it. Keep a sharp eye and ear on it through your next oil change and let'* see where it goes.