clicking sound

[joshb003]

Hey!

I live in Minnesota, and it's getting pretty cold right about now, and I've noticed that when I start my car cold sometimes it will make a clicking sound for awhile until it warms up. Is this normal? Or should I be bringing the car in to get checked out? It's not very loud and increases in speed with the engine.

Thanks,
Josh

 

[CorkSport]

It sounds like the lifter rattling a little when the oil is cold. The shop 2 does the same thing if we let it sit for a few days or if it is really cold outside.

-Derrick

 

[joshb003]

Do you think I should be concerned? Should I bring it into the shop?

 

[MyPrecious]

I will defer to others with more mechanical experience than I have....but I had this problem with my 1992 GMC pickup...many years ago...and it was bad valve guide seals....and had to be replaced under warranty. It was accompanied by a puff of blue smoke just at startup...that dissappeared after the initial puff...and happened only if the truck had sat over night. Bottom line...unless someone disabused me of the thought...I would inquire of my service manager....just to be on the safe side. My 2 cents.

 

[joshb003]

Thanks for the advice, I drove it this evening after it sat all night/ all day, and this time it didn't make the sound. My plan is to just monitor it and then have them check it out when I bring it in for the 5,000 mile service. (unless the sound gets worse or happens consistently). Without consistency they'll probably just send me packing anyways lol.

 

[Joker2]

I take it you never changed the oil.

 

[joshb003]

No I never changed the oil. I was repeatedly told by multiple dealers that there is no reason to change the oil before 5k miles, and that the 2 doesn't have a break in period. It's only at 2500 miles right now, why do you ask?

I'm thinking that I'll bring it in for an oil change at 3k miles, and then have them check out the clicking noise.. I know the oil levels aren't low, I checked it last fill up.

 

[Chris_uk]

well my last M2 had this sound only on a cold start on winter mornings, in the summer when it was warmer never really heard much of it, and that was from brand new, my current Sport model which is a used car and is a 2007 model, still has the same noise on cold mornings, tbh its nothing to worry about, its just when its cold, if it was a mjor issue you would hear it at different times and not dependant on temperature

 

[DrWebster]

Mine does it occasionally too, and I've had two oil changes already. I'm not too worried about it.

 

[XCLR8TN]

Anyone who has owned a Miata should be used to this sound haha My 2 does this also. Just a lil bit of valve/lifter tick.

 

[joshb003]

Okay, glad to hear it's a usual problem. One of the service managers at my dealership said that it could be because the oil that the 2 uses is really thin (he didn't explain why that matters) but whatever glad to hear its normal lol.

 

[CorkSport]

Anyone who has owned a Miata should be used to this sound haha My 2 does this also. Just a lil bit of valve/lifter tick.

Lol, every BP/B6 powered vehicle I have owned did it.

-Derrick

 

[Mazdamatic]

i was told to break it in for 2k and i have a scheduled oil change at 5k and im at 4.2k

but i just got a CEL so guess im taking it in early

 

[Joker2]

No I never changed the oil. I was repeatedly told by multiple dealers that there is no reason to change the oil before 5k miles, and that the 2 doesn't have a break in period. It's only at 2500 miles right now, why do you ask?

I'm thinking that I'll bring it in for an oil change at 3k miles, and then have them check out the clicking noise.. I know the oil levels aren't low, I checked it last fill up.

I ask because very few engines get broken in on engine dynos before being installed in cars (Corvettes yes, Camaros no). And I ask because a few cars I have had that used hydraulic lifters tended to make ticking noises after a few thousand miles and as soon as I changed the oil they quieted down. Lastly I ask because when I sampled my oil at 2000 miles, it was full of crap that I did not want filling the lifters, so at 2500 I changed it out.

Dealers will tell yu what they believe and I tell you what my experience is. Change the Oil ASAP and post back with results.

 

[PGTBrow]

The 2 does seem to make some lifter noise, but so has every Mazda i've ever heard....

 

[fam]

I can tell you the 2.3l does it...ive owned 5 cars with the mazda 2.3 (mazda3's and mazda5's) and they all make the clicking noise...just normal operation...I can barely even here my 2 motor though...the hamsters inside must be sleeping.

 

[joshb003]

Okay, I'm going to run the car for 400 more miles until I get to 3k and then get an oil change. I'll get back to you guys as soon as it's changed.

 

[Racebrewer]

Does the M2 have hydraulic lifters?

If so, it would be the first car in 41 years that I've owned that had them. Good Grief....... No valve adjustments to do?

John

 

[joshb003]

Well I've changed my oil now, and I still get the clicking noise about once every other week on cold start! I think I'm just going to deal with it haha.

Also, I notice that the engine always makes some clicking sound if you open the hood while it's running, maybe it's just that but exaggerated when cold.

 

[DrWebster]

I can tell you the 2.3l does it...ive owned 5 cars with the mazda 2.3 (mazda3's and mazda5's) and they all make the clicking noise...just normal operation...I can barely even here my 2 motor though...the hamsters inside must be sleeping.

In the 2.3L MZR, it's the fuel injectors that make the noise. Seeing as the ZY motor in our cars is from the MZR family, I wouldn't be surprised if there are similarities in regards to noises.