Author Topic: A strange clattering... (Read 1048 times)

mmret · « **on:** April 08, 2011, 06:12:44 pm »

TSX this time.

Facts:
-sounds like some sort of metal clattering, like an exhaust mount is loose (but comes from the engine)
-occurs on cold starts in the (cold) morning
-goes away after seconds (variable...1 second this morning, 20 seconds a few days ago...)
-~~seems related to RPM.~~ ie: it only happens at certain RPMs
-no CEL or anything, and oil level seems fine

I will try to get a video / sound. Really weird. Still have a year of powertrain warranty but I know I will get the dreaded "cannot reproduce".

Railton · « **Reply #1 on:** April 08, 2011, 06:17:29 pm »

Cold start valve clatter. Honda's are famous for it.
Railton

mmret · « **Reply #2 on:** April 08, 2011, 06:23:35 pm »

Quote from: Railton on April 08, 2011, 06:17:29 pm

Cold start valve clatter. Honda's are famous for it.
Railton

only at certain RPMs though? didn't strike me as a valvetrain noise....maybe I'm wrong though.

Its not really a ticking noise ala the BMW. Its less "regular", like random pots and pans banging around.

1TSX · « **Reply #3 on:** April 08, 2011, 06:30:27 pm »

Hmm...thats odd? I never experienced that problem with our TSX (128k).

Trainman · « **Reply #4 on:** April 08, 2011, 07:29:24 pm »

Sounds like a heat shield to me. Very common to have them rattle as cars get older, and they do tend to be at certain RPM's and the frequencies they develop. Usually a good whack fixes the problem. Helps to get rid of frustration too

Careener · « **Reply #5 on:** April 08, 2011, 07:36:23 pm »

+1 heat shield.

Railton · « **Reply #6 on:** April 08, 2011, 09:05:45 pm »

OK, Pots and pans - I'm switching to heat shield as well. Time to replace or wrap a set of large stainless worm clamps around the shield and pipe.
Railton

tortoise · « **Reply #7 on:** April 09, 2011, 02:09:02 am »

Or, depending on the heat shield, just remove it completely.

mmret · « **Reply #8 on:** April 10, 2011, 07:07:05 pm »

Upon further diagnosis, appears to be near exhaust area. Wonder if the powertrain warranty still covers. Bleh.

mmret · « **Reply #9 on:** April 26, 2011, 09:23:21 pm »

Upon further further diagnosis, it appears to be the front actually. Cat converter area.

BUT...does anyone have an explanation for why it only occurs while in reverse?

rrocket · « **Reply #10 on:** April 26, 2011, 09:29:17 pm »

Quote from: mmret on April 26, 2011, 09:23:21 pm

Upon further further diagnosis, it appears to be the front actually. Cat converter area.

BUT...does anyone have an explanation for why it only occurs while in reverse?

Only in reverse? Hmmmm...wonder if it's driveshaft yoke? Angle of yoke/driveshaft relationship changes when put in reverse. It's very odd...

TopGun · « **Reply #11 on:** April 26, 2011, 10:57:02 pm »

Quote from: mmret on April 26, 2011, 09:23:21 pm

Upon further further diagnosis, it appears to be the front actually. Cat converter area.

BUT...does anyone have an explanation for why it only occurs while in reverse?

Is in an auto? Perhaps it's the combo of the gearing in reverse that creates just the "perfect" resonant frequency for a vibration to occur. Does the clattering go away when you change rpms in reverse?

Cue the vibration jokes...

mmret · « **Reply #12 on:** April 27, 2011, 07:34:35 pm »

Yes its an auto

Yes its RPM dependent.

The temperature dependency seems to be more of a "how long have you been driving" question rather than "how hot was it this morning" question, at least at this mornings 13 deg.

mmret · « **Reply #13 on:** May 17, 2011, 10:05:18 am »

Ok so now begs the question...if I pretty much know its something weird near the cat converter area, but only happens for a few seconds in the morning every day, how do I get this diagnosed and fixed? Arrrgh.

vdk · « **Reply #14 on:** May 17, 2011, 01:05:07 pm »

Quote from: mmret on May 17, 2011, 10:05:18 am

Ok so now begs the question...if I pretty much know its something weird near the cat converter area, but only happens for a few seconds in the morning every day, how do I get this diagnosed and fixed? Arrrgh.

Take it to the dealer and leave it there overnight.

johngenx · « **Reply #15 on:** May 17, 2011, 02:55:41 pm »

Quote from: vdk on May 17, 2011, 01:05:07 pm

Take it to ~~the dealer~~ a good indie tech and leave it there overnight.

Fixed.

articsteve · « **Reply #16 on:** May 17, 2011, 05:53:44 pm »

Ok so now begs the question...if I pretty much know its something weird near the cat converter area, but only happens for a few seconds in the morning every day, how do I get this diagnosed and fixed? Arrrgh.

You don't. In used BMW land this is absolutely nothing. There is so much more lurking in that vehicle waiting to test your resolve.

rrocket · « **Reply #17 on:** May 17, 2011, 05:55:42 pm »

Quote from: articsteve on May 17, 2011, 05:53:44 pm

Ok so now begs the question...if I pretty much know its something weird near the cat converter area, but only happens for a few seconds in the morning every day, how do I get this diagnosed and fixed? Arrrgh.

You don't. In used BMW land this is absolutely nothing. There is so much more lurking in that vehicle waiting to test your resolve.

This is an issue with his TSX, not the BMW....

airbalancer · « **Reply #18 on:** May 17, 2011, 06:33:00 pm »

Get a Lexus

articsteve · « **Reply #19 on:** May 17, 2011, 08:54:32 pm »

This is an issue with his TSX, not the BMW....

So the Z4 is now 100%

I lose track of member's vehicles, but is the TSX the unit involved in the fender bender a year or so ago? Compared to 99.9% of cars on the road there is no problem.