Unusal startup noise Carrera 3.2
 

Yesterday I started my Carrera 3.2 after valve adjustment and new oil. The oil pressure came quickly and the engine ran smooth and with no unusual mechanical noise. As always. In the evening I jacked up the right side of the car to change the right front shock absorber. The car was standing in this angle for approximately 3 hours. After finishing the right side I should move the car and when I started the engine I could hear some clacking and rumbling I had never heard before. I could not hear it at idle, but it started at 1500-2000 rpm. The engine was running for two or three minutes, when I turned it off. The oil pressure was approximately 4 bar at idle. I then just started it again and the noise was completely gone! The engine ran just like it has always done. Can anybody explain this? The weather was unfornately very cold yesterday with 32 degrees F in the evening and I guess the mineral oil of 15/40W was rather thick.

Glad to hear that all is now well. Strange noises can be VERY frightening!!

I'm only guessing, but is it possible that the oil was able to drain out of the right hand side valve housings (and back into the sump) while the car was jacked up on such an angle? Add to this the fact that the weather was quite cold, plus the relative 'thickness' of the 15W/40 oil, and it may be that it just took a while for the oil to circulate fully (thereby resulting in some nasty sounding noises during that period which were more noticeable at higher revs).

In colder weather such as you mention, I would personally be tempted to use a slightly 'thinner' oil, such as a 10W-40 (which I run in my 3.2 Carrera). Not only will a 10W oil circulate through your engine faster when cold than a 15W oil (thereby reaching internal components quicker & therefore reducing the effects of friction sooner), but it also makes cold cranking easier on the starter motor.

Just my .02 which I hope is of some help.

Cheers,
Steve