Engine Noise at startup

[planefreak]

Recently purchased my 02 P5 and its a great car, I just have noticed something that seems a little odd to me. When I start the car the engine revs up to 2100 or 2200 rpms and then quickly drops to around 1600. But when it is climbing rapidly to the top there is a lot of engine noise, it sounds like the valves are completely dry for a second.

Do all Proteges do this or do I need to get it fixed?

Thanks, Travis

 

[CheeseHelmet]

Yup, lots of valve noise on start-up. A good 5W-30 oil might help, but you shouldn't worry about it.

 

[slavrenz]

You could try running some seafoam through your crankcase to clean out your oil passages, but like CheeseHelmet said, our engines are just plain noisy, especially on startup.

 

[ToNeZ90]

I actually switched to full synthetic motor oil last week and the engine doesnt make that sound anymore. The sound only happened when the engine was cold. I used to hear the engine clinging around 2k if i tried driving while the engine was still cold. The oil took all of that noise away.

 

[justanothermp5]

ive always ran full synthetic and the engine noise is always there...i just got used to it

 

[P-Funk!]

and our VTCS rattles at cold engine start.

 

[Lboogs]

^^^^^^^^^
What if that valve noise continues even after warm up? Would that be bad? I read somewhere on here about fuel injectors making those sounds also........since last oil change in May had 10W30. Going next week for the next oil change, should I change to 5W30 now?

 

[justanothermp5]

i have a 626 so thats not it for me, pretty sure its the injectors or the valves, since we have solid lifters

 

[-Batman-]

dont mean to threadjack but his problem is now resolved - is it possible to pull injectors and clean them out??

 

[CheeseHelmet]

^^^^^^^^^
What if that valve noise continues even after warm up? Would that be bad? I read somewhere on here about fuel injectors making those sounds also........since last oil change in May had 10W30. Going next week for the next oil change, should I change to 5W30 now?

If you can get it go with 5W-30, it flows better on cold start-ups than 10W-30 which will protect your engine better against pre-mature wear.

 

[slavrenz]

^^^^^^^^^
What if that valve noise continues even after warm up? Would that be bad? I read somewhere on here about fuel injectors making those sounds also........since last oil change in May had 10W30. Going next week for the next oil change, should I change to 5W30 now?

5W30 is what is recommended for your car, so yes.

 

[i12drivemyMP5]

+2 or +3 on what has been posted about noise....VTCS is one issue and using 5-30 will get oil to head sooner when cold. Back to the OP startup rev issue..........clean the EGR and IAC. If the idle does go up that high when first starting up, there will also be more valve clattering and premature wear due to the oil not being there yet no matter which oil you use. The VTCS noise is not an issue of premature wear. It's just annoying sound, air flow restriction and useless unless in really cold climate all the time.

 

[P5 Fan]

I only had my 2003 P5 for a week now and after reading this I also have a high reving engine on start up but only for a few minutes.

 

[justanothermp5]

thats so it can warm up the cat before you start driving, completely normal

 

[flash75]

My P5 usually initially idles at 1800-2000 rpm and quickly moves down to around 1200-1400 then toward normal idle speed at a rate depending on temperature. It has done this from new.

The owners manual recommends either 5w30 or 10w30 depending on temperature.
The shop manual recommends 10w30 when temperature is above -13 degrees F and 5w30 when below 32 degrees F. Page 01-50-20.

Based on that information I have always used 10w30, we rarely have -13 degrees here.

Clifton

 

[P5 Fan]

thats so it can warm up the cat before you start driving, completely normal

Ok what does my "cat" have to do with this? LOL It actually makes sense it warms the car up.

 

[CheeseHelmet]

The owners manual recommends either 5w30 or 10w30 depending on temperature.
The shop manual recommends 10w30 when temperature is above -13 degrees F and 5w30 when below 32 degrees F. Page 01-50-20.

Based on that information I have always used 10w30, we rarely have -13 degrees here.

Clifton

I believe the reason they specify 5w30 for colder climates is because it's harder to find than 10w30 (or maybe it used to be). 5w30 is better to use in general because you'll get better lubrication on startup which means less engine wear.

If they're both the same price, go with the 5w30, it's better for your engine

 

[CheeseHelmet]

Ok what does my "cat" have to do with this? LOL It actually makes sense it warms the car up.

Your catalytic converter

It helps with cold-start emissions.











meow.

 

[bazooka joe]

it's all about emissions!

 

[planefreak]

I just switched from regular to full synthetic and haven't got a chance to listen for it. I'm not too concerned with the noise. Yes, injectors make noise. One way of checking to see if your injectors are the culprit of your noise is to use a long screw driver and rest it on each injector paying close attention not to the catch the belt or hit any electrical wires. Place your ear at the end of the screwdriver and listen. You should hear a light clicking, that means its working.

Injectors can be cleaned http://www.witchhunter.com/. I"m not advertising their site just saying that's one place to go. I don't know if I would spend my money like that though. I would try putting some Lucas Injector cleaner through your gas tank. It's about $4 and doesn't require you to take your injectors out and send them away.