Ticking Noise On Startup

[Devin1333]

Just like the title says, I get a pretty nasty sounding tick on startup. The odd thing is, it gets louder to a point, and then suddenly stops. No tapering off, or slowly getting quieter. It'll tick, and then suddenly stop, and it does this about 3 or 4 times, then after the car has run for a little while, it never makes the noise again. I'll add, the car is a 97, and it has 145k on the clock. Any suggestions as to what it is? I'm kind of leaning towards something in the head, maybe one of the lash adjusters is sticking?

 

[Snakeman]

sticking valve, possibly. i am investigating a similar noise with my car. got the intake off and there's a LOT of carbon deposits on the intake valves under the butterflies of the IMRC plates. i have found nothing else wrong with the engine so far. maybe try a treatment with seafoam cleaner and see if that helps. good luck!