Hi everyone, I just bought an 04 Alero 3.4, and I got it cheap because of an engine noise. The guy that had it thought it needed an oil pump, but in my experience you usually need an engine before an oil pump. However, the previous owner had the heads redone, and they look brand new. I'm getting a real bad tap in the top end, especially above 1000 rpm. I took off the front valve cover to check the oiling, and it looks like some rockers are getting a little oil, and some are not.
The oil light works because it comes on at test, and the sensor is plugged in, but it does not come on when the car is running. It just seemed like it should be getting much more oil to the top to me and I am wondering if the noise is a collapsed lifter or two. But at the same time I can't imagine someone doing the heads and not replacing the lifters and push rods while they are that far down. I posted some video below, please let me know what you think so I know where to go from here. I was suspecting the oil pump, the pump drive and or seal being damaged when they jacked the heads, and now maybe a collapsed lifter. Any ideas?
http://youtu.be/ehdAgC6vUl8
http://youtu.be/lc-MlBSw-Nk
http://youtu.be/3mbYbn80aW0