Expert: Robert Summers - 10/8/2008

Question
Ok, I have a chevy caprice 1992, only 63000 original miles! and I have had its oil changed every 3000 miles since i got the car, well the last time they changed it, it started tapping kind of loud! I never heard it before! the man said it was very faint when I brought it in. now when I drive it, it has that tapping noise except when I am driving over 35 it gets faster where u cant hear it anymore then when u slow down it does too and u can hear it. it sounds like its toward the back of the area under the hood over to the right, dont know exactly where its coming from! Please Help!!

Answer
Hi Jenny.... have you checked to see if there is enough oil in the engine...sometimes when people get distracted they forget how much they put in. usually that is a lifter noise and can be caused by a couple of things. IE: not enough oil pressure, stuck lifter, bent pushrod... that is if it is an internal engine noise... check the oil, also check to see what grade of oil they used. if oil is full and they used the right grade and you don't trust them take the car to another shop and get an opinion from them...if it is an internal engine problem if you continue to drive you could cause futher damage...if not an engine problem check that you don't have a loose exhaust shield or anything metal that may be vibrating when driving....hope this helps...