problem in the cold...

[fireheadmt]

i started my car 1990 240 sohc last night and it was really cold out. it had been sitting in the driveway for a few hours. the previous day i had the water pump replaced entirely, all brand new. so anyway, i started the car and it was making a loud clicking type of noise, like when you tap a pen on the table. so i popped the hood and realized that it was coming from the front of the head, or the water pump (right in that area). the noise would subside for a few minutes, then come back. so i decided to see how far i would get, and as soon as i pulled out of the driveway the engine was at operating temp (after like, 5 minutes of the car being on). going up the road it threw me an oil light, i checked the oil at a gas station it was full. shut the car down, restarted it, the noise barely happened anymore. then the running temp varied between cold and operating temp the whole way home (so i need a new thermo).

but can you shed any light on the noise and the oil light?

thanks guys

[ILikeMy240sx]

well the oil light would explain the rattling noise you got. W/o oil pressure, timing chain tensioners dont work and the chain will flap around. If your pressure was so low to make the oil light come on (I believe it sets off if the pressure goes below 5psi) then it probably did something bad.... I hope not.

I dont know why all of a sudden you would lose oil pressure then everything find after restarting the car ... maybe someone else can chime in.