Check whether oil changes have been done on schedule and avoid cheap oil. The morning chatter is likely delayed oil flow to the top of the engine from partial clogging by deposits. Carefully flush the engine if appropriate, or pull the oil pan and remove deposits; an oil additive such as Lucas (without Teflon) may also help on an older engine.
Owner of a 2000 Dodge Caravan with a 3.0 engine and about 70,000 miles reports a morning chattering noise that sounds like collapsed lifters and goes away after the engine warms up; the vehicle otherwise runs well. The expert attributes the noise to slow oil delivery to the top of the engine, possibly from deposits if oil changes were neglected or cheap oil was used, and suggests a careful flush, oil-pan cleaning of deposits, and a non-Teflon oil additive such as Lucas.
