I have a 1999 Mitsubishi Galant and anytime its started from cold it makes this dreadful ticking noise until i drive 10 miles or so and then its fine my theory is its a Tappet? if so how much to get it fixed and is there any solutions that i can do myself with my competant mechanical knowledge
Could be anything from sticking valves to piston slap. You can't do much until it has been identified apart from an oil and filter change and a good fast motorway run to burn off any carbon. If it is running fine after warming up, chances are it will cure itself after a while. If it gets worse then take the head off to check the valves but it may be a hydraulic tappet that needs identifying and changing before doing this.