Start up Rattle

[Showtime]

OK, I've been using the car a bit over the last week or two, and great as it is to drive, I definitely have a rattle at start up.

It lasts just a second or two, and only does it when cold. when it's up to temperature, nothing at all. Getting irritating now so can anyone shed any light on it,

I dont believe it to be IMS related, I changed the oil and filter a couple of weeks ago and had a good look at the filter and bowl. both were spotless and showed good clear oil that had only done about 3000 miles. No oil at all under car or on bottom of engine. In short, no obvious signs.
Oil is Mobil 1 0W-40

Car runs beautifully and it's just annoying to keep hearing this every time I start it

Leads me to tensioners/tappets or something. Is there a fix to this, ie , can I adjust the tensioners or do something that will not involve major teardown.

Thanks Guys, all input greatly appreciated

[drewbz818]

My 97 does the same thing, from what I have read and my mechanic says its the tensioners and its nothing to worry about.

[teamwenz]

I switched from the Mobil 1 on my last oil change to Castrol Syntec 5w40 and the rattle is gone on cold startup. The only issue is cost Mobil 1 0w40 is $5.50 / quart and Castrol 5w40 is over $8. Don't know if I am getting any more for my money with the Castrol but it comes highly recommended from most of the 986 sites.

[thstone]

Very common for the cam chain tensioners to "rattle" for 1-2 seconds until the oil pressure comes up (and seems worse when the temps are cold and engine is cold).

You can try using a different brand or heavier oil, like 10-40 or even 20-50. Might or might not help.

Otherwise the job to replace the tensioners is somewhat complex. Wayne has an excellent write up in the Tech Center info pages for the Boxster under Engine - Camshaft Upgrade/Chain Tensioner Replacement.

[Zeke]

I don't know if I would recommend 20-50 as the manual does not. When I changed up from 0-40 to 5-40, the rattle got better to the point that there was none if the car is driven frequently.

[Wayne 962]

thstone is right - the cars all seem to do this after they age a bit. As Milt said, a 5-40 thicker oil might help the situation a bit...

-Wayne

[Showtime]

Thanks for the input guys, appreciated..I'll likely switch to aheavier weight next change.

Ha.. Just so you know..In the UK Mobil 1 costs £16 a quart (thats about $21)..Yes a QUART.. a 5 Liter can costs £47 (About $75 USD ) So at that cost it's going to stay put..

Got to have Waynes book now... more things to do and spend money on

[onlineformals]

I changed from Mobil 1 0w-40 to Motul 5w-40 on my last oil change and notice a major difference in the sound of the engine.

It is a lot quieter and smoother sounding.

Also I use to get the White smoke at start up every so often (heard its normal), but that has seemed to go away.

I read on on the LMN Engineering site about the IMS issues and they recommended Motul, as well as my Porsche mechanic.

Might be worthy a try. Its on the Porsche approved list.

[JMatta]

Castrol Syntec 10W40 here...no noise or rattles. Mobil1 0W40 is just too thin, amongst other issues with it.