Questions and Answers

Cadillac Eldorado Tapping Noise Q. Dear Sir, I own a 2002 Cadillac Eldorado with 6000 miles on it. It has the 4.6-liter, 300 hp Northstar engine. It obviously has P.S, P/B, automatic transmission, ABS, cruise and fuel injection. As of late, in the morning, and anytime the car has sat idle for several hours, after starting, there is a tapping noise that sounds like a lifter or a tappet.

After the engine runs for several minutes the noise totally vanishes. The noise is much more noticeable, however, in the morning. What do you recommend as far as how I proceed? The car is obviously covered under warranty, but I hate to take a brand new engine apart and cause more problems? Might the problem go away on its own or should I insist on a dealer repair?

Thank you so very much,
Steve

A. I would most definitely take it back to the dealer and let them correct the noise. You paid a small fortune for that car and it is GMs responsibility to make sure it is perfect. And they want you to buy another new Cadillac in the future so they will make every attempt to fix the problem and fix it right the first time.

The noise does sound like it could be a bad lifter. I have seen new parts in new cars be bad from the factory. If you want to drive it another 1,000 miles and see if it goes away, that's okay. But i really don't think it will. If it doesn't, let the dealer handle it.