New sound at start up?

[Go Mifuni]

I know it's almost imposible to diagnose a problem like this without actually being there but maybe someone here has had a similar problem.
I started noticing about two weeks ago, a strange sound during cold starts which only lasts for about half a second. It sounds like it may be coming from the driver's side but I'm not sure. The sound is similar to putting small rocks in a coffee can and lightly rocking it. It doesn't seem to be getting worse and if the engine is warm it doesn't do it. Oil level is fine. Any ideas?

[ckadiddle]

You have a Hyundai stuck to the bottom of your engine. ;)

[Go Mifuni]

You have a Hyundai stuck to the bottom of your engine. ;)

You're killin' me :lol:

[grampaws]

A/c clutch or Air compressor for air suspension..This is only a
Guess Mine does it too!! Doesn't seem to get any worse..

[Marauder386]

You have a Hyundai stuck to the bottom of your engine. ;)


... I was going to say a Kia or Scion ... they scream like lobsters going into the pot when you use them for undercarriage maintainance.... :burnout:


:coolman:

[torinodan]

Got a Fram oil filter? I do and it makes the same noise on every cold start up. Next oil change will never have a Fram again.

[Marauderjack]

Is it the same sound you get after an oil change with a new (empty) filter?? :confused:

I hate to hear it since it sounds like rods knocking to me....but someone here said it is the oil pump and won't hurt anything?? :( My dealer also said it won't hurt anything.

If you have a Fram filter it will drain back and cause this same sound since the filter will be essentially empty every AM.

My $.02.... :)

Marauderjack

[metroplex]

Sounds like a typical problem with the Marauder/Mach 1 engine. I don't hear it on my 00 Vic 4.6 2V or the 03 E-250 5.4 2V.

[Go Mifuni]

Yes, it's a fram.
The next one won't be.
Hopefully that is it because it makes my hair stand up when I hear it. :eek:

[juno]

You have a Hyundai stuck to the bottom of your engine. ;)Dude!! Where's the Coke alert!!!!!

I just messed up my keyboard!!

[Go Mifuni]

Is it the same sound you get after an oil change with a new (empty) filter?? :confused:

I hate to hear it since it sounds like rods knocking to me....but someone here said it is the oil pump and won't hurt anything?? :( My dealer also said it won't hurt anything.

If you have a Fram filter it will drain back and cause this same sound since the filter will be essentially empty every AM.

My $.02.... :)

Marauderjack
Last oil change I used a Motorcraft and it still makes the noise at a cold start. :(

[TripleTransAm]

Guys, make sure you're all sitting down for this, but....

my car DOES NOT make this noise EVER, whether on a cold startup or after an oil change or whatever!

Somewhere in the universe right now, a virgin is giving birth to a son, a huge body of water is being parted right down to the bottom, a single-celled organism has just begun life on a desolate planet with a hostile environment... and my car can actually claim NOT to have a problem affecting OTHER Marauders.

I shall rejoice, and go buy a lottery ticket.

[Go Mifuni]

Guys, make sure you're all sitting down for this, but....

my car DOES NOT make this noise EVER, whether on a cold startup or after an oil change or whatever!

Somewhere in the universe right now, a virgin is giving birth to a son, a huge body of water is being parted right down to the bottom, a single-celled organism has just begun life on a desolate planet with a hostile environment... and my car can actually claim NOT to have a problem affecting OTHER Marauders.

I shall rejoice, and go buy a lottery ticket.
Uh....Buy one for me too. :D

[Marauder2005]

I know it's almost imposible to diagnose a problem like this without actually being there but maybe someone here has had a similar problem.
I started noticing about two weeks ago, a strange sound during cold starts which only lasts for about half a second. It sounds like it may be coming from the driver's side but I'm not sure. The sound is similar to putting small rocks in a coffee can and lightly rocking it. It doesn't seem to be getting worse and if the engine is warm it doesn't do it. Oil level is fine. Any ideas?

Mine does this also, my fathers 04' Towncar does the EXACT same thing

as well...

[Go Mifuni]

Mine does this also, my fathers 04' Towncar does the EXACT same thing

as well...
Hmmm...Maybe this is a NORMAL thing and there is something wrong with TripleTransAm's car? :lol:

[Blackened300a]

Ever hear a Caddilac Northstar started up on a cold morning??
My mother has had 3 Cadillacs, a 97 ETC,a 02 STS and now a 03 DTS and they all sounded the same at start-up, You hear all the valves and lifters for about 30 seconds then it stops.
May be a typical thing with 32 valves and such large heads

[TripleTransAm]

Hmmm...Maybe this is a NORMAL thing and there is something wrong with TripleTransAm's car? :lol:


Something wrong with my car?? That's just NOT possible... ;)

I've fired up a few Ford 32V'ers over the past year, and also spent a few days with a rental DTS or Deville in the early spring of 2004 in Chattanooga. Never heard the clatter in any of those cars. In all honesty, I'm VERY curious to know what it sounds like... if anyone can put together a sound clip of this clatter, I'd love to have an idea of what this is like.

[RCSignals]

.................... In all honesty, I'm VERY curious to know what it sounds like... if anyone can put together a sound clip of this clatter, I'd love to have an idea of what this is like.

That's easy. Put some small rocks in a coffee can and rock the can lightly.
For better effect have someone do this for you from about two or three feet away, at the front drivers side, while you sit in the drivers seat.

My car does not make this sound. :depress:

[Rider90]

First TripleTransAm, now RCSignals, and I'm feeling left out.

[TripleTransAm]

That's easy. Put some small rocks in a coffee can and rock the can lightly.
For better effect have someone do this for you from about two or three feet away, at the front drivers side, while you sit in the drivers seat.


You're joking, right? That's a very detailed description - I'm assuming you've actually heard it in person? 'Cause if you're NOT joking, holy Bovine Mammal! How can anyone call that normal??????????

Someone please tell me that description is exaggerated!

[merc6]

Thats the exact sound I hear on my MM when I "manualy" Start it. Don't hear it after remote starting cause remote start is done a few minutes before I get outside so I can get in and GTFO of dodge. Not to stir the gunk at the bottom of the tank but why are you guys using frams?

[RCSignals]

You're joking, right? That's a very detailed description - I'm assuming you've actually heard it in person? 'Cause if you're NOT joking, holy Bovine Mammal! How can anyone call that normal??????????

Someone please tell me that description is exaggerated!

Well yes Steve, I was joking. My description does seem to be accurate though..............eery :coolman:

I would say it is not normal, but then I've never heard it either.

[TripleTransAm]

Tomorrow's scheduled to be a 'brisk' morning to the tune of -9 C (about 16 F to the metrically challenged). I plan on starting both cars just to see how the new guy behaves in the cold weather. It'll be undergoing extensive testing to make sure it's up to the task of becoming the new family hauler through thick and thin. I'll be listening for that clatter just in case. I know for sure my old one won't do it.

[merc6]

sound adds character :)

[TripleTransAm]

sound adds character :)


I'm just waiting for someone at Ford to claim it's normal, and was designed to scare off nesting rodents during morning startups.

[merc6]

servey says..."It's a ford thing...don't worry about it" That what Im always told.

[RCSignals]

I'm just waiting for someone at Ford to claim it's normal, and was designed to scare off nesting rodents during morning startups.

I suspect it's a FRAM thing.................now where is RF............FRAM has been mentioned, he should have picked up on that by now.

[TripleTransAm]

Maybe it's an anti-drainback valve issue? This is pretty much the reason I use whatever Ford gives me as an oil filter for that car (I've always provided my own Mobil 1 0W20 since they don't have their own semi synth up here).

I've also used a WIX filter at one point. No noises there either, no idea if it has that valve or not.

[Randolph]

I had that sound also, then I divorced her.

[merc6]

I have the motorcraft one on right now. IIRC the drainback was plastic on the fram.

[RF Overlord]

The FRAM ADBV is nitrile rubber, the bypass valve is spring-loaded plastic, and the end caps are cardboard. The Motorcraft filter has a silicone ADBV, spring-loaded steel bypass, and metal end caps, in addition to having more than twice the media surface area.

Considering that Motorcraft filters can be purchased at Wally World for LESS than FRAM filters at AutoZone/Advanced/O'Reilly's, there's no reason not to use the better filter.

[TripleTransAm]

The FRAM ADBV is nitrile rubber, the bypass valve is spring-loaded plastic, and the end caps are cardboard.

Wow. Sounds like the brand of toilet paper I buy...

[Rider90]

My brother cut through the center of 5 or so name-brand oil filters and two of them were completely identical and under different brand names. Our pick that was the best was Napa.

[Go Mifuni]

The FRAM ADBV is nitrile rubber, the bypass valve is spring-loaded plastic, and the end caps are cardboard. The Motorcraft filter has a silicone ADBV, spring-loaded steel bypass, and metal end caps, in addition to having more than twice the media surface area.

Considering that Motorcraft filters can be purchased at Wally World for LESS than FRAM filters at AutoZone/Advanced/O'Reilly's, there's no reason not to use the better filter.
I went the Motorcraft for my last oil change and it still makes the noise at a cold start. I've been using Mobil 1 5/20 also.

[Marauder2005]

Does the car still haul ass? if so 'your good to go. :D

[TripleTransAm]

Our pick that was the best was Napa.

I think they are made by Wix. I have heard good things about Wix.

Oh my god, this thread is morphing into an oil thread... quick, someone inflate a life raft and rescue it!

We haven't discussed this startup noise in a long time. Has anyone with intimate knowledge of our motors developed a theory why some do it and some don't? I just had a scary thought... is there some sort of part that could be missing on the noisy engines? some sort of oil passage check valve, or something like that?

[merc6]

did both your mm's have it or have you not been able to confirm #2?

[RF Overlord]

I think they (NAPA filters) are made by Wix. I have heard good things about Wix.You are correct on both counts, sir.
Oh my god, this thread is morphing into an oil threadSee what happens when that RF Oil-lord nitwit gets involved? :rolleyes:
We haven't discussed this startup noise in a long time.My car used to make the noise periodically, but I haven't heard it for a long time. Once the motor got used to Mobil 1 5W-30, it hasn't done it since. Either that, or I just got used to it...

[TripleTransAm]

did both your mm's have it or have you not been able to confirm #2?

If that's referring to me, none of my cars seem to exhibit this at the moment. I'll be firing the new guy up in sub freezing temps in just a few minutes (I took the morning off... haven't slept much at all in the past week while getting all this mess of getting a second MM off the ground).

[Go Mifuni]

Once the motor got used to Mobil 1 5W-30, it hasn't done it since. Either that, or I just got used to it...
Could this noise be attributed to the valve lash adjusters? You say it went away when you switched to 5/30?

[RF Overlord]

It didn't go away immediately after switching...I started using M1 at either 16,000 or 20,000 miles (can't remember...I'm old...) and I've used it exclusively ever since...car now has 41,xxx on it and I can't remember the last time I heard "the sound", but it was something like ~10,000 miles ago. I don't think it was the HVLAs...it sounded more like piston-slap, but very brief. Now that I recollect, it didn't do it only when cold, either...

[Sully008]

Just for the record, my MM doesn't make that "rocks in a can" sound everyone's talking about. At least, it doesn't when I can start the thing.:rolleyes: When it starts, the car roars to life and idles great. No weird noises of any kind.

[SergntMac]

Could this noise be attributed to the valve lash adjusters? You say it went away when you switched to 5/30? I was just going to suggest the VLAs be considered. All VLAs will leak down over night, but wear and tear will, of course, loosen things up a bit, and one or two may leak down more than others. I would not be surprised to see a relationship between this, and the higher temps of cylinders 7 and 8, driver's side rear of the engine.

My '91 GM with a 5.0 and 87K mles actually knocks for almost a full minute when started over-night cold. When this first started, I checked everything I could think of, and prepared myself for a replacement engine, I was sure a rod or main went south. That was 25K miles ago...Go figure? Not "normal", but a trait?

[MENINBLK]

Ever since my first Oil change at 3,000 miles, My Marauder has had a steady diet of
M1 and a K&N HP-2010 Oil Filter every 5000 miles.
My Marauder currently has over 44,000 miles now.

I have never heard this startup noise that you speak of.
Whether I use 0W-20, 5W-20, or 5W-30, she starts the same way every morning.
Roars to life and ready to please.

Have you recently had Wes' whistle tips installed ?
You won't hear anything after that...

[TripleTransAm]

Fired up both cars this afternoon. Odd results with the new guy (more on that later) but both cars started up nicely with no knocking or other noises, after sitting about 16 hours or so in 15 degree weather.

I used the remote start on both cars (both non-Ford).

The odd results: the new car cranked for about 1 second and stopped. A few seconds later it tried again and the car immediately fired. I may have to adjust the cranking time, once I figure out how to do so.

The old car took it's usual normal (I think) time to fire up, same as in any temperature, but puffed a little more blue smoke than the new guy. I guess I got used to it over the past year, but it put into perspective how much less the new car smoked at cold startup.

No odd noises from the front at startup. Mobil 1 0W20 in the old car, no idea what's in the new car.

Side note: the new car idles MUCH smoother than my old one. Shall I try to dethrone mr. 14.56 this coming spring at the track? ;)