When I start my 98 Camaro, the engine shutters and there is this horrible clicking noise (pretty loud) that just gets faster and louder when i excelerate. It will go away after I have been driving for a few minutes- but not if I just sit there and let the car "warm up" It will start this all over again when I start the car cold-if the engine is still warm tho and I start it up again I dont have this problem. Any ideas what it could be?

When I start my 98 Camaro, the engine shutters and there is this horrible clicking noise (pretty loud) that just gets faster and louder when i excelerate. It will go away after I have been driving for a few minutes- but not if I just sit there and let the car "warm up" It will start this all over again when I start the car cold-if the engine is still warm tho and I start it up again I dont have this problem. Any ideas what it could be?


Most likely it is the pushrod lifters making the noise due to a low oil level and it is taking some time for the oil to reach them.

could also be piston slap... 98-01 GM cars are famous for that, especially LSx engines (is it a Z28?).

psh no wish it was lol its a little 6 cylinder haha- any ideas how to fix it??

Start with the easiest thing first......the oil level.If that doesn't fix the problem it's most likely something internal like piston slap mentioned earlier in this thread.

yeah the oil is fine just changed it and the filter about 2 weeks ago- I read up on the piston slap and im gonna be that is exactly what it is. everything i read about it tho said to not worry about it unless my oil consumption is excessive which it isnt- and just to live with the slap- as it will cause no harm to the car. Basically- it gave me no relief for the noise :( is there any way to fix this? i really dont want to live with it haha it seriously sounds horrible and peopld stare at the car haha thanks again

What weight oil did you use and how cold has it been? Did it make the noise prior to changing it?

I used 10w-30 what the car recomends and no it hadnt been doing it before for a while- it had been doing it alllll summer until i changed the oil in september and then stopped like 3 weeks after i changed it and then it hadnt made that noise until about a week after I changed the oil this time- but it needed a change BADLY lol

Oh and I live in Virginia Beach so it rarely gets below 32 degrees in winter ha i would say its been a steady 45ish all winter

to check noise. take plug wire off. while engine running. if noise gone it is a piston slap if noise still there could be valves need adjusting. if they are on a 6 cyl not sure on a 6. or a lazy lifter.

Exhaust leak?