Noise on Startup
 

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.

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.

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.

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 <enhanced the room with crown molding>
- en·hance·ment /-'han(t)-sm&nt/ noun

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.

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