ticking on cold start up

[Beems240sx]

so i just noticed this today. it has happened twice now on cold starts only. right when it fires up it ticks for about a second and then its fine. its really weird and concerns me. i also just changed the oil and filter 250 miles ago with valvoline 10w30

[240life]

You could switch to 5w30 if your NA but if not I would try bleeding your lifters...a second or 2 or ticking isn't usually a problem, initially, but your oil pump might be getting a little weak if the bleeding doesn't help

[Beems240sx]

its a s13 sr20det. i need to pull the timing chain guide off it so maybe ill get in there and bleed the lifters too

[Justin35ll]

it's only cause it takes about a second or 2 to build up oil presure and especially on a cold start when theres no oil up in the head.

You could try removing the upper chain guide. I took mine out before I even put my engine in. and if your gonna take the valve cover off bleed the lifters like he said.

[burnin240sx]

You going to have to take the cams off to get to the lifters. I found the best way to bleed them was use a small drill bit or a pick to stick in the hole on top while the lifter is fully submerged in oil. you should see little bubble come out. if that doesn't solve the issues it could be either a bad lifter.