Strange noise when engine is cold?

[crystalmyth]

I drive a 2005 Camry SE. In the mornings, when I start it up for the first time, my engine almost...growls. That's the only word I can think of. Not even growl. But instead of purring like a kitten, it purrs like a tiger (walrus? LOL). And it's only when I first back it out and then take off. Once it's good and warmed up, it drives and sounds perfectly. Shifts beautifully.

And this morning, I let it warm up for awhile and it didn't make any noise when I took off.

I talked to my coworker about it and she said she had a similar issue with her 2004 Saturn Vue and it was something about a manifold, but couldn't remember what it was called. And she said her mechanic was able to fix it, but only temporarily and then told her it would cost her big bucks to fix it permanently.

So what am I looking at here? I can't take it anywhere because it won't make the noise when I get there, LOL.

[leakyseals]

I see your in Germany. Assume its getting cold there. When was the last oil change? What oil do you use (include synthetic or conventional ) and what weight?

[crystalmyth]

Whoops! Not in Germany anymore - need to change that, lol. I'm actually in the states living in Georgia. It's currently around 25-30 in the mornings. I'm coming up on needing an oil change (last one was November 5th) according to my sticker, but the car doesn't start harassing me until 4,500 miles, then it gets really stern at 5,000 (by way of the service engine light).

I'm using 5W-30 - do I need to bump it up to 10W-30 for the winter months?

[leakyseals]

Originally Posted by crystalmyth

Whoops! Not in Germany anymore - need to change that, lol. I'm actually in the states living in Georgia. It's currently around 25-30 in the mornings. I'm coming up on needing an oil change (last one was November 5th) according to my sticker, but the car doesn't start harassing me until 4,500 miles, then it gets really stern at 5,000 (by way of the service engine light).

I'm using 5W-30 - do I need to bump it up to 10W-30 for the winter months?

No. Oils are thickest when they are cold, so you want thinner for winter. Will make it tick even worse with a 10w..The problem is quick lubes use inferior oils, inferior filters that slowly contaminate your engine over time. hence the early morning cold tick. Use synthetic oil and you can go 6-7k no problem.

The alternate if you have to use a lube shop and don't want to pay the full synthetic or the blend price: check the oil and when there is room put a pint bottle of Marvel Mystery Oil in with the current oil. This will thin the oil out in winter months, give the engine a mild clean. Marvel Mystery Oil can be found anywhere oil is sold. Do this only once per OC

[glenn14]

You have to remember also your oil is sitting in the oil pan over night, it was 3 degrees here with a wind chill of -15 degrees in Mass, my engine ticks until the oil gets up into the top if the motor, once warmed up its fine, oil thickens in the cold weather !!! Thats why you need to run a thinner oil !!
Glenn

[BlackG5]

it was around 15 this morning when I started her up.. she hated me for it but after about 2 mins of idling it smoothed out-- 5w-30 M1 syn

[z27ls3]

I am on the accessory drive serpbelt driven items on this one,
power steering pump, water pump, idler or tensioner ? maybe?

[BlackG5]

^my accessories are always noisy when they're cold... Not "ugly" noisy, but they sure get quieter with heat...


engine code might help here-- I'd think the V6 has more overall noise than the I4

[leakyseals]

Originally Posted by z27ls3

I am on the accessory drive serpbelt driven items on this one,
power steering pump, water pump, idler or tensioner ? maybe?

Have some tire shine spray for the tires? with the car running spray the belt, see what happens. Don't over do it.

[leakyseals]

Originally Posted by BlackG5

^my accessories are always noisy when they're cold... Not "ugly" noisy, but they sure get quieter with heat...


engine code might help here-- I'd think the V6 has more overall noise than the I4

A trick I use to quiet pulley bearings is use the grease kit from the intermediate shaft TSB. Pull the fender flare, the small applicator tip gets in there, the grease does pretty well for a few years. For most its the alternator brushes, nothing you can do but rebuild.

[INDCWBY]

My 06 SE had the same issue. Had to replace the tensioner.