2004 Saturn VUE 2.2L
When I start the engine when the engine is cold, I get a loud tapping/clacking noise. It's embarrasingly loud. Definitely engine speed related. And it quiets down or goes completely away after the engine is warm. I've also been smelling exhaust in the cabin.
I popped the hood with the engine running and it seems to be coming from the exhaust manifold area- there's a heat shield in place now so it's pretty tough to be certain.
My experience with gasket leaks previously is in the pipe itself and not at the cylinder head/manifold gasket interface. From my experience, the leak sounds more like a "puffing" noise and this is definitely more of a tapping/clacking noise.
What is the likelihood of this just being the gasket? Cracked manifold? Or lifters in the cylinder head?
Thanks.
--Tom