Q: I have a tapping noise coming from left side of motor on top while pressing the gas on cold starts.

asked by on April 07, 2016

When I push the gas to accelerate in the morning or during a cold start period I hear a tapping noice only when I push the gas. Has been going on for about 2 months now. Oils never been ran low and I use 2nd grade gas. It idels fine with no taps at all or even revving the engine while in park it still doesn't tap. But if I put it in gear and take off it'll start tapping while I'm pressing the gas.

My car has 197234 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Noise from engine or exhaust Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

Hello. The most common cause of this noise in your vehicle is a leaking exhaust manifold. It is common for the bolts on the rear of the manifold to break, causing a small leak. Most of the time you will hear it in park, but if the leak is very small you will not hear it until you start driving which puts a larger load on the engine. If the exhaust manifold is fine then it may be caused by a lifter that is collapsing. I would usually pull the valve cover off to inspect the rocker arms for looseness. If it is loose then it may need a lifter. If you plan on having the vehicle looked at as a certified mechanic can come to your home or office to diagnose the source of the sound.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

How do I turn on the Uconnect phone system?
Turning on the Uconnect phone system is very easy. When you turn your ignition from OFF to ON/ACC or START, your Uconnect phone system will start up. It takes the Uconnect system roughly 15 seconds to start up. After 15...
Coolant keeps leaking
Hello. The motor that is in your car (https://www.yourmechanic.com/cars/pontiac/grand-am) is known to leak antifreeze from its lower intake gasket. You will usually never see any antifreeze on the ground when/if this happens. Replacing the lower intake gasket should solve this...
Car glitches out when trying to start
Hi there. This does sound like an electrical issue. Most of the time this is caused by a problem with either a loose negative batter ground, but I have also had a lot of problems with the positive battery cable...
Do I need a special tool to remove the knock sensor?
Hello. There does not appear to be any special tool required to remove the knock sensor on an 84 Corvette. Only the correct size socket should be needed in order to loosen and remove the sensor. The sensor is located...
Turn signals and hazards don't work 2005 Pontiac Grand Am
Hello - the problem you are experiencing is a failure of the turn signal/hazard warning flasher unit (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-hazard-turn-signal-flasher). The flasher unit performs the flash function for both your turn signals, and the emergency hazard flasher function. I recommend a turn...
Vehicle will start but turns off when put into gears
Hello, thank you for writing in. When the transmission is put into gear, the engine is demanded to work under slightly different conditions. It is these changes that are likely triggering the engine to stall. The Torque converter lock up...
Fast Ticking sound coming from the engine.
Hi there. To see where the noise is coming from on the engine, first try removing the drive belt and starting the engine. If the ticking noise went away, then there is an issue with a pulley on an accessory...
Hello brandon. My ignition key starts screeching noise before it turns on engine. I have a Honda Accord 2007. It turns on on seco
Hi there. Sometimes this type of noise is caused by an electrical component failure inside the ignition cylinder. However, it could be caused by an electrical component such as a relay, timer, solenoid, or actuator that is switched on by...
WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM ENGINE BUT NOT OVERHEATING
Hi there. If smoke is coming from the back of the engine, it's possible that you have a small coolant leak, oil leak or even windshield wiper fluid leak. Smoke can also come from an electrical system malfunction, serpentine or...

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Dodge Durango
The The 2012 Dodge Durango is a more fuel efficient SUV yet still provides all of the room and power you need. The Durango can tow up to 7,400 pounds making it perfect for family outings and carrying lots of...
2012 Chevrolet Silverado vs. 2012 Dodge Ram: Which One Should I Buy?
When you are looking for a way to get a load of mulch or gravel, or need to haul a large trailer or boat behind your vehicle, chances are you are looking for a truck. Trucks are not meant to...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You're an Archeologist
If If you are an archaeologist, you need a vehicle that will take you off the beaten path. After all, that’s where you spend a good deal of your time. And that means that you will need, ideally, an SUV...