Upper Engine Noise, Regardless of Engine Speed

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2006 Pontiac Montana SV6, 2006 Chevrolet Uplander, and 2006 Buick Terraza. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Cause	Correction
Engine oil overfull - oil aeration	Remove excess oil, set to proper level.
Low oil pressure	Perform an oil pressure test. Refer Oil Pressure Diagnosis and Testing . Repair or replace as required.
Loose and/or worn valve rocker arm attachments	Inspect the valve rocker arm stud, nut or bolt. Repair or replace as required.
Worn valve rocker arm	Replace the valve rocker arm.
Bent or damaged push rod	Inspect the following components and replace as required: The valve rocker arm The valve push rod The valve lifter
Improper lubrication to the valve rocker arms	Inspect the following components and repair or replace as required: The valve rocker arm The valve push rod The valve lifter The oil filter bypass valve The oil pump and pump screen The engine block oil galleries
Broken valve spring	Replace the valve spring.
Worn and/or damaged valve rotators	Replace the valve rotators as required.
Worn or dirty valve lifters	Replace the valve lifters.
Stretched or broken timing chain and/or damaged sprocket teeth	Replace the timing chain and sprockets.
Worn timing chain dampner	Replace the timing chain dampner.
Worn engine camshaft lobes	Inspect the engine camshaft lobes. Replace the camshaft and valve lifters as required.
Worn valve guides or valve stems	Inspect the following components and repair as required: The valves The valve guides
Stuck Valves (Carbon on the valve stem or valve seat may cause the valve to stay open)	Inspect the following components and repair as required: The valves The valve guides