[bigbea]

I went to a car show in somerville omn saturday and I was driving there with no issues. Cruisin around for over an hour. Once I got into town there was tons of traffic. I was idling and barely moving for about 15-20 mins. My car started making a tapping noise coming for the passenger side. Guessing its by the valve. Got back on the highway and it went away.

Today I was dropping a friend off to pick up a car and I was waiting for him...car was idling for about 10 minutes and that damn tapping came back. Opened the hood and it seems to be coming from the valve cover area.

Why does it only happen at idle or low rpm? Is there something I can do to avoid this issue(besides not idling)? Will it damage the engine?

thanks in advance for the helpp fellas

[MI2600]

Sounds like a lifter might be collapsing. What is your oil pressure while idling?

[troy-curt]

You didn't post what kind of car or engine, or how old it is. Sounds like the oil pressure is dropping a little low at idle, causing the lifters to not pump up all the way. Check the oil pressure and the rocker arm clearance. Good luck.

TC

[DoubleVision]

Pop the valve cover and see if a rocker is out of adjustment. If not before your next oil change right before you change it, pour in a can of sea foam and let the car idle for 15 minutes then change the oil. Welcome Back Troy.