Engine noise when cold
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,027
Likes: 1
From: Woodland CA
Engine noise when cold
I have a 96, and I've noticed if I let the car sit for one day, the next day in the morning when I start it, it has no noise what so ever as I drive ~0.3 miles to a stop sign from my house at a speed of 25mph.
After the stop sign, I gently accelerate the car to ~40mph, and for about 5 seconds during the acceleration, I can hear a clanging sound like the valves are not getting any oil. I have plenty of oil pressure, as it indicating between the mid mark and the high mark. The oil level when cold is at the top of the stick.
Once the car is running after this 5 second period, I never hear it again. It only happens when the car sits for 24 hrs or more. Car has 86k miles. Is this something to worry about?
After the stop sign, I gently accelerate the car to ~40mph, and for about 5 seconds during the acceleration, I can hear a clanging sound like the valves are not getting any oil. I have plenty of oil pressure, as it indicating between the mid mark and the high mark. The oil level when cold is at the top of the stick.
Once the car is running after this 5 second period, I never hear it again. It only happens when the car sits for 24 hrs or more. Car has 86k miles. Is this something to worry about?
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: Marysville WA
It could be piston slap. If you get a little wear in the bores or too much piston clearance it will rattle a little until it warms up. I have had that happen to 3 LT1 motors so far after 100k. Just let it warm up about 1 min. before you drive it. Then drive real easy for about a mile or so and you should be fine. 
Oh and turn your radio up real loud and it will go away.
Oh and turn your radio up real loud and it will go away.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,027
Likes: 1
From: Woodland CA
It must be only when its cold. I did not use it this morning as I took my other car to work. Got back home around 5:30pm and the wife wants to go out to eat. So I fired her up and it did not make that noise - doing the same routine as in the morning. Temperature outside was 75°F at 6:00pm.
I'll let her warm up for a minute or so before I take off. I always thought that sound might be valves, rods, or springs.
I'll let her warm up for a minute or so before I take off. I always thought that sound might be valves, rods, or springs.
