I have a 1998 civic and when i first start the car it makes this metal on metal clanking sound. It is inconsistent but it sometimes get very loud. however when my car starts to warm up, the sound sort of stops. i popped the hood to check were the noise comes from, and it seems to be somewhere around the engine. what could possibly be the problem? any feedback would be appreciated. thanks




Modified by lsturbojk at 8:31 PM 2/9/2006

 

clanking? meaining more of a squeak? could be your belt. mine used to do that until i changed it..

 

Does it do it around like 1500 rpm? Mine does the same and I think it's the cat rattleing.

 

valve / valve springs hitting the head maybe?

 

well i had same thing, ur cat converter cover is probably loose, just tighten that and it should be fixed

 

Can you give a little better assessment? "somewhere around the engine" is a too vague. My guess would be valvetrain related or your distributor.

 

i have a somewhat clacking sound also but only when the engine is cold and i start up the car. it does for like 5 seconds then stops. i tried to find it. i think i hear from my timiing belt area. maybe my belt tensioner?

 

what kind of oil u using? (weight)

 

what the expletive is that supergay picture?

 

clutch?

 

i think i know what you are talking about. for me, when i start my car in the morning or in cold weather, i hear a "clanking" or "knocking" sound from the engine compartment. but once the car is fully warmed up, it goes away. i assumed that it is normal, so i never thought anything of it.

 

i have the same problem it was my cat convert. all i had to do was take it off

 

when the motor is cold, the pistons are smaller... so in turn, they fit a little looser in the cylinder causing the 'clanking' sound you hear. once it warms up they expand causing the noise to lessin.
not only that, it could be you have a rod bearing ready to go and thats just it knocking a bit untill it gets hot oil to calm it down a bit.
also your valve train taps, its common, and at startup there isnt as much oil lubing it up to keep it quite so therfore your gonna hear it more