Rattling upon start up?

[ray240sx]

Lately, Ive notice a slight Rattle right upon startup...it seems like its coming from the exhaust manifold area. Could it be the heat shield? can someone confirm this before i look into removing it?

Also a few weeks ago, when i went to start the car up... there was a loud grinding noise in the engine area. since then ive been noticing this rattle right upon starting the car. could they be related?

Can it be also the timing chain? but that rattles only when idling right?

Thanks in advance for any advice or comments

RL

[niznos]

Look for missing bolts on the manifold shields. They seem to want to go AWOL, and shields on the catalytic converter rust easily and will rattle too.

[ray240sx]

Thanks Nizno...Ill look into those two problem prone areas

RL

[SRdave240]

My SR does the same thing. I decided it is probably the timing chain tensioner. The tensioner works via oil pressure so until oil pressure builds the timing chan rattles a little bit. My rattle goes away as soon as the oil light goes off. As long as it goes away soon after starting, it is not a problem.

[hotshot240sx]

i second srdaves opinion...bad tensioner or guides equals rattles...

[Master_Tao]

I've got the same problem. It goes away after the car warms up, but I think I have narrowed it down to coming out of the actual muffler, any help would be appreciated here too.

[Dougster]

If it goes away after warm up, its the chain rattling...if it still rattles at idle its probably in the heat shields...Good luck/skill

[Master_Tao]

How do I check the chain?

[ray240sx]

In my case its right when the engine turns over, a second later it dissapears, I dont hear the rattle atleast. however i do get this pinging sound when its on idle. I sure do hope its just the bolts to the heat sheild thats loose or something to do with the exhaust and not the timing chain...b/c I am looking to change my exhaust system soon anways and my cat as well.

I have yet to check it out, but once i do i will post it...thanks guys for your advice

RL

[Nathan]

How many miles are on the engine and how well has it been maintained that you know of (ie: oil changes in particular)?

[ray240sx]

Its got 162,500 miles and counting...i dont know much about the previous owners and their maintenance, but since i got it last year ive been consistant with changing my oils...as a matter of fact, an oil change is due in about 500 miles.

RL

[s13EastTN]

Probably timing chain tensioner considering. Take off the valve cover and check if the chain has any slack.

[Dougster]

Sometimes u will get a little chain rattling sound until the oil curculates throughout the engine...(1-2 seconds)

[SRdave240]

Sometimes u will get a little chain rattling sound until the oil curculates throughout the engine...(1-2 seconds)

and that's OK??

[Nissan-S14]

i have the same thing on my KA, just when i start the car for the first second, then it goes away.

[ray240sx]

That does make sense, oil circulating in around the engine...I think I have 10W30 Mobil in it right now...what weight or brand of oil do you guys suggest for the summer season? I just baught a case of 10W30 mobil for my next oil change.

RL

[SRdave240]

I use 5w-40 valvoline synthetic all year round.