Noise on Startup

[oneyellowboxster]

Hello All......
My 98 Boxster makes a interesting noise for about 3 seconds right at cold startup. Never does it again. Sounds like muffled valve clatter. Hard to describe. Car runs fine and has about 70k on it. Should I be worried, or could it be that it is due for some type of top end adjustment. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Mark

Tappy valve/lifter noise is common on cold starts. How long have you owned the car? Are you using the correct oil? Mobil 1 0W40. Running a higher viscosity oil (like a 15W50) will enhance the noise.

[porsche986spyder]

Are you sure it's coming from the engine? I had this same thing happen to me and it was just the stupid chrome exhaust tip rattling. Slightly loose on my exhaust caused a similar type of noise that I could still here even inside my car. Just needed to tightened down the bolts. Coult be this.

[CJ_Boxster]

Originally Posted by bmussatti

Tappy valve/lifter noise is common on cold starts. How long have you owned the car? Are you using the correct oil? Mobil 1 0W40. Running a higher viscosity oil (like a 15W50) will enhance the noise.

When you say "enhance the noise" do you mean it'll be louder or quieter?

I have the same issue as the thread starter, engine makes about 3-5 taps from the engine like a dry lifter or valve and then is quiet... if i imediatly turn the engine off and then restart it the noise will not come back again until the engine has been sitting for more than 2 or 3 hours.

Originally Posted by CJ_Boxster

When you say "enhance the noise" do you mean it'll be louder or quieter?

Ahhh, Grasshopper Carlos, you are correct...louder!

Main Entry: en·hance
Pronunciation: in-'han(t)s, en-
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form(s): en·hanced; en·hanc·ing
Etymology: Middle English enhauncen, from Anglo-French enhaucer, enhauncer, from Vulgar Latin *inaltiare, from Latin in + altus high -- more at OLD
1 obsolete : RAISE
2 : HEIGHTEN, INCREASE; especially : to increase or improve in value, quality, desirability, or attractiveness
- en·hance·ment /-'han(t)-sm&nt/ noun

[oneyellowboxster]

Being in Minnesota, i.e. very cold, I have been using Mobil 1 5W30. Could this be the problem ? Should I always use 10W40 no matter the temp ? I have owned the car for 5 years. Seems it has always made this noise....Is it common ?
Thanks

Originally Posted by oneyellowboxster

Being in Minnesota, i.e. very cold, I have been using Mobil 1 5W30. Could this be the problem ? Should I always use 10W40 no matter the temp ? I have owned the car for 5 years. Seems it has always made this noise....Is it common ?
Thanks

Yes, I think it is common. Especially for cars that sit longer between drives. Like mine, that is a sunny-day-pleasure-car.

Please note the correct oil is Mobil 1 (One) 0W40...not Mobil 1 (One) 10W40.

As an FYI, I have been using 5W40 Redline oil since last Fall. I notice less (or at least I think I do) valve tapping at start-up then when I was running Mobil 1 0W40. I know this is not a Porsche approved oil.

[oneyellowboxster]

Thanks folks.....I feel better now.