Are these motors known to have valve train noise? Since I've owned the car it's always had valve train noise when listening to the motor while the hood is up.

Hope I don't sound foolish.

yup, mine always tapped a little on startup. all the oil drains down into the pan while it sits.


-Chris

It's not a tapping just a vale train noise. This is constant no matter if it's warm or cold.

easy thing to do is pull off the valve cover and check for wear, but as a general rule eco's are noisy in the valve department.


-Chris

They shouldnt be, are you sure that ticking isnt your fuel injectors?




- 2004 Cavalier - 124k, owned since new

I suggest using a better oil. I recently had this problem when i decided to try the wal-mart synthetic oil 5w-30.
That stuff is complete garbage, do not use it. As soon as I replaced the oil. the ticking stopped. (freezing arse cold wisconsin winter, 175 miles)
Since then, I use conventional oil, and no noise. Not saying syn oil is not good, but DO NOT put that wal-mart garbage in your motor.
You get what you pay for, and this scenario validates that maxim to me.

The ecotec also has very small piston skirts (for lighter pistons). This is more likely to be the "extra" engine noise on startup.

Now its been cold the past few days our 05 cavi does it a little till it wams up. Call GM up and they'll basically tell you what I told you a little noise is normal.


-Chris