the engine rattle when I start - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

NINJA333 · 11-02-2007, 09:59 AM

Hi guys,
I have just got my first Porsche Boxster 98 automatic.
When I start the engine for the first 3 seconds the engine rattles. Is this somethink normal or shell I expect something bigger? Cheers

11-02-2007, 10:08 AM

Ninja, congrats on the new car! A couple seconds of engine noise (valve tappets) is pretty normal.

Does the noise go away after the 2-3 seconds?

Is it getting cold there?

What oil are you using? Full synthetic 0W40? A thicker oil will enhance this sound at engine start-up.

Padawan · 11-02-2007, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NINJA333

Hi guys,
I have just got my first Porsche Boxster 98 automatic.
When I start the engine for the first 3 seconds the engine rattles. Is this somethink normal or shell I expect something bigger? Cheers

I assume it's normal, because mine makes the same sort of noise for the first second or so after it starts up.

11-02-2007, 01:31 PM

I actually think the "mechanical noise" that the engine makes on cold start-ups is charming and intoxicating all at the same time.

Bambino Don · 11-03-2007, 03:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmussatti

I actually think the "mechanical noise" that the engine makes on cold start-ups is charming and intoxicating all at the same time.

hahaha i like to see a positive in any situation.

my S makes the same 'chatter' for 1-2 seconds, i never rev through it, just let it deal with its issues, but im in North east of Scotland so we are colder at the moment, atleast its dry.

James

AUDIOGUY · 11-03-2007, 03:51 AM

I would think it is just oil finding its way through the motor. Mine does it too... but I rev it to redline and hold it there for 2 minutes...... just joking. The noise goes away after a few seconds.

NINJA333 · 11-06-2007, 09:27 AM

Thank you very much guys for quick responses........I just wanted to check that this is normal.......Cheers, ninja

pauljsgreen · 11-12-2007, 04:06 PM

you've given me comfort too and prevented a superfluous post. oops - i've just posted! :dance:

mine makes a rattling noise for maybe a second tops when started from cold if the outside temp's low and it's been left for a couple of days.

i was just about to start typing

thx
P

yellowboxster01 · 11-13-2007, 08:26 PM

It's normal they all rattle and smoke a bit when you start them. I was concerned about the smoke so, I called the shop. They told me it's because of the engine layout, oil sits in the crankcase and is burnt off when you start it up. Since I work at a bodyshop and we mostly work on Porsche's I've been noticing most all Porsche's do it.

The rattle is normal also but, you can cure that with some loud exhaust that overrides the sound.

dm1270 · 05-16-2010, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Padawan

I assume it's normal, because mine makes the same sort of noise for the first second or so after it starts up.

My 2001 boxster with 100,000 mi rattles also, buyt not for 3 seconds. I timed it it last 37 seconds. It then disappears.

I do have another rattle in the catalytic converter that continues. I know its the converter because I put a stethoscope to it. When I was a kid, I had a 944 that had the same problem. Turned out to be an oxygen sensor cap in the catalytic converter. I hope this is the same thing.

kyleturner2020 · 05-20-2010, 06:56 AM

Try turning the key on for a couple seconds before starting. I learned that on a 996 forum.

Kyle

97 Boxster · 05-20-2010, 07:24 AM

My 97 does the same thing if I let the car sit overnight. I will try the "Key" trick of turning the key to on before cranking the car over.

BYprodriver · 05-20-2010, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NINJA333

Hi guys,
I have just got my first Porsche Boxster 98 automatic.
When I start the engine for the first 3 seconds the engine rattles. Is this somethink normal or shell I expect something bigger? Cheers

1 likely source is the chain tensioners leaking down oil while the engine is off & the timing chains rattling until the 3 tensioners build oil pressure.

Dave928 · 05-20-2010, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bambino Don

hahaha i like to see a positive in any situation.

my S makes the same 'chatter' for 1-2 seconds, i never rev through it, just let it deal with its issues, but im in North east of Scotland so we are colder at the moment, atleast its dry.

James

Moar pics of Boxster in Scotland!!! :dance:

Jake Raby · 05-20-2010, 12:27 PM

This noise is coming from looseness in the timing chains due to the hydraulic tensioners.

Clean or replace the tensioners or change oil brands. One brand of oil made the noise completely disappear in my Wife's 996 Land Speed car, when I changed brands again the noise returned.

Wear on components like variocam wear pads, timing chains, cam drives and etc will make the noise louder and occur more often. There are solutions, you don't have to live with it and it isn't good for the engine.

kyleturner2020 · 05-21-2010, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 97 Boxster

My 97 does the same thing if I let the car sit overnight. I will try the "Key" trick of turning the key to on before cranking the car over.

Please let me know if it helps.

wtf · 08-25-2010, 03:46 AM

Ive experienced something similar on my car, i was freaking out after reading all this "IMS failure" ..

Ive only owned my boxster for a week and a half and the other day it just made a quick rattle on startup (like a clunking sound similar to a big end bearing noise - metal on metal clackering), but the noise goes away after a few seconds.

I turned the car off and on again and the noise didnt re appear. The car makes no other weird noises and drives beautifully normally.

Tonight I had been driving around with no incident, then stopped car.. An hour or two later i started it up again and got that loud rattle.. The noise sounds really disconcerting to say the least, and it went away after a few seconds.. I turned it off/on.. no noise.... off/on... no noise... off/on... a bit of a rattle again that went away after a few seconds..

The car in this occasion was not cold, the weather isnt cold (maybe 11 degrees celsius), and the oil level in the car is good...

im hoping theres nothing stuffed with it, and hopefully it isnt the sign of the dreaded 'IMS' ?

landrovered · 08-25-2010, 07:46 AM

I worried about mine too until I drove a brand new Carrera S and Cayman S at the dealership and they both made the same noise on startup.

Gilles · 08-25-2010, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jake Raby

This noise is coming from looseness in the timing chains due to the hydraulic tensioners.

Clean or replace the tensioners or change oil brands. One brand of oil made the noise completely disappear in my Wife's 996 Land Speed car, when I changed brands again the noise returned.

Wear on components like variocam wear pads, timing chains, cam drives and etc will make the noise louder and occur more often. There are solutions, you don't have to live with it and it isn't good for the engine.

Hello Jake,
I have a Cayman S with 40,000K and lately started to hear what it sounds like lifter knocking noise, the first time was after the car sat for a week and last Saturday started having an intermittent noise. I switched from Mobil 0W-40 to Castrol Syntech 5W-40 about 5-7000K ago. BTW, I live in SoCal which has heavy traffic and warm, should I go back to Mobil 0W-40..? Your comments will be greatly appreciated
Regards, Gilles

Daniel R · 08-25-2010, 06:36 PM

Mine rattles constantly at idle but the noise goes as soon as the revs are above about 1,000rpm. It also rattles at low revs if the engine is laboured (ie in too high a gear).

Any ideas what causes this? Someone suggested it could be either a belt tensioner gone bad, or possibly a bent conrod.

All thoughts appreciated.