GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

We have a 2004 vibe,and sometimes when you start it up,the top part of the engine chatters for a split second like there is no oil getting to it,or it has a weak oil pump or something..It doesnt' do this everytime,just every now and then..Soundsl ike the valves or something..Any idea what could cause this?

When the engine starts cold it only takes a split second for oil to reach the valve-train, under normal conditions. You will hear a little chatter within the warm-up process while the oil is coating all surfaces in the head.

It doesn't do it everytime..It usually only does it the first time you start it for the day..But yesterday it did it after only sitting for about 5 hours. It doesn't keep going,the chatter usually stops in a matter of 1 sec or 2.

I would like to say its "normal conditions" but I guess you just never know. I have a 2003 AWD and in the mornings and cold days after sitting at work for 9 hours I hear a periodic chatter. There are a lot of factors involved with valve chatter, especially if maintenance (e.g. regular oil changes) have not been followed or overlooked for an extended time.

...that's pretty much "normal" with today's engines that use very thin oil, ie" 0W20, 5W/30, etc....the thinner oil "runs down" easier once the engine has stopped and sat for awhile, which allows the pistons to "slap" the cylinder walls slightly upon initial startup...probably the sound you hear....this "slapping" is also due to the use of shorter piston 'skirts' (to reduce overall piston-to-cylinder wall friction) as opposed to older engines.

Sounds normal. My '09 does it, as does my bike, and every othe car I've owned...

Thanks for the comments guys,gives me some peace of mind..I'll let it go,and if it gets worse I'll take it in to have it checked out...We are getting ready to take it on a 6600 mile round trip in 2 weeks...So im a little nervous,but it does run like a top and has never missed a beat since we got it in March...