Experienced the "engine clang" this morning

[Mark94]

I've been hoping this didn't show up in the MSP, but it just happened. It is about 15 degrees right now and I started the car and it started to clang almost immediately. It scared the crap out of me because it was very loud and I wasn't expecting it. It went away after about 2 minutes.

Supposedly this has plagued 2001 and 2002 Proteges and the fix is to have the ECU "reflashed." The engine temp has to reach 140 something degrees before it goes away. I was reading up on it over at protegeclub.com

Anybody else experience this.

Mark

 

[Newf]

nope...never

 

[Mark94]

nope...never

We'll maybe it's something else that is wrong, because it's definitely colder in Canada.

I'll bring it up with the dealer, she's going back on Monday to have two scratches and a scuff taken out.

Mark

 

[FuNwaGoN]

hey this has happened to me several times along with all of my idle problems. I have had my ECU reset and reporgrammed 3 times and had an IAC valve replaced. Haven't heard the clank in a while. Important to note though that there is a MAZDA Coporate fix for this. All that the dealer has to do is call the Tech line. Supposedly there is a switch that will correct this cold start problrm. I know this because I called Mazda Caoporate and asked them about all Tech bulletins on our cars and the cold start clank was the only one that came up. Hope it helps guys.

 

[Mark94]

I was reading yesterday on another board that it was mainly P5's and the lower model Protege's that had the problem. No one with an MP3 or an MSP responded saying they had the problem. I was thinking we shouldn't have the problem because we already have different ECU programs.

Like I said, it may be something else that is wrong and I'll have the dealer look at it next week.

Thanks for the info!

Mark

 

[JonnyMiata]

Mark,

It has NOT happened to me. I hope the fix goes well.

Jonny

 

[Mark94]

Thanks for responding Jonny.

Mark

 

[gjmoreo]

I has been as low as 7* here in NY and I have yet to have that problem....I would look into it asap - even if you cant bring it in right away - speak with the service advisor or service manager and have them document the problem on the system.

 

[jroof]

What exactly does this clang sound like? Is it one noise or does it almost sound like the heat shield is loose and rattling around? If the latter, mine seems to make that noise on cold starts for a few minutes.

 

[Mark94]

I'm not too sure how to describe it.

Many of the P5 guys describe the sound as a rattling heatshield but it turned out to be the cold startup problem. Some said they took off the heatshield and the problem persisted.

Mark

 

[Grimace]

I'm guessing that is just the heat shields/exhaust/etc. cooling down (contracting), L.E.

 

[Rotus]

Hmmm,

Maybe the fix for it would be for all of us to get the MP3 ECU as a replacement...

 

[TheMAN]

it won't work

Hmmm,

Maybe the fix for it would be for all of us to get the MP3 ECU as a replacement...

this problem is not surprising... the MSP now has VTCS like all the other pros just so they can pass emissions

 

[Dexter]

down with emissions! stupid emissions. ....

 

[Limited Edition]

Mark..
what kind of clang sound is it? Is it after a long highway speed drive? Because i've been getting that too. It's a loud 'ping' noise. Not just a regular ping noise you would get with normal cars after a highway drive, but i keep hearing "PING!" sound from the engie..after you turn off the igintion....

it's weird...
i hate that sound

 

[Mark94]

I know what sound you are talking about. It's just the new metal parts cooling. Before they are fully cured they will make noises while cooling and it will emit a slight odor, just like when you install a new exhaust system. That's nothing to worry about, it'll go away in the near future.

The noise I heard was only during start-up in 15 degree weather. It sounded like A LOT of metal just grinding against eachother. The noise went away after about a minute.

Mark