Rattle on startup- worry?
 

97 with only about 75k on it. Noob owner. Recent acquisition, previous owner promised service records but can't "find" them.

Runs like a top, soon to be doining fluid changes just to be sure they are done.

About 50% of the time on cold startup there is a short "rattle" on startup. Goes away running, warm start not present. I've owned a few Mercedes and that sound usually means worn timing chain-possible catastrophic outcome.

Don't know enough about mine to even know if a timing chain exists on these but I would appreciate it if someone could tell me if the sound I am hearing is potentially problematic.

Thanks.

Jb

Welcome. I have a 97 as well and mine does the same thing. Search for "noise on startup" and read what comes up. There are a few threads on it. Its normal (from what I understand) and as soon as the oil lubricates the chain your noise should go away. Hope I am right by what I just said.

LOL I am no pro but this site is incredible. Again, welcome and heres to many more miles.

Post some pics too.

I'm going to hazard a guess that you are using Mobil1 0W40 oil. Try swapping to Castrol Syntech (now Edge) 5W40. A lot of us have found that gets rid of the start-up rattle.

Intermittent brief rattle on cold starts is normal.

Next!

Good luck with the car. Bought a '97 with 75k on it myself two years ago. Two years later on `03k and enjoying it more all the time.

I don't believe it's the Castrol vs Mobil that makes the difference, rather the 5W vs the 0W?

Two oil changes ago I used Mobil 0W-40. Last oil change I used Castrol Edge 5W-40. I don't think I notice any change in start-up rattle. If it's there (change), it's very suttle. At least, in my car.

Three of us also have up here in Boise (all about the same year car as you). I only have 30,000 miles on mine and have had it since I got the car. No worries after reading other threads on the site.

Dang 97 Boxster, yours and mine are red twins.
 

Never wanted a red car but liking more every day.

Thanks to all. (it appears from the spare quart inthe trunk that it does have Mobil 1 oil inside)

Make that triplets, here's mine.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-p...x%25201280.jpg

I have the clatter on start up, both cold, hot. I've tried different oil viscosities, from 0-40 to 20-50 with no change. I've also replaced the IMS and bank 1-3 chain tensioners with no change. It only lasts for a fraction of a second. I'll live with it.

Beautiful. 15 years old, and looks brand new.

I took mind to a P dealer for this reason and they said that tattle on start is normal.

I have this same problem on my 02 boxster 2.7 with 146k miles.

I work for a service department at a Volkswagen dealership, and this sound is IDENTICAL, to the sound of a camshaft chain tensioner on a 1.8turbo Volkswagen engine. When the chain tensioner gets old it creates this noise upon startup. On the Volkswagens, this is typically because the tensioner is about to let go, seems like on the Porsche engine though this isnt the case.