Valve clatter at startup?

[Huli]

Every now and again I get a valve clatter like noise at startup. It seems only to happen when it is really cold. Using 5w-30 oil, just changed it last week. Any suggestions as to the problem and a fix maybe?

Thanks!

[Huli]

Re: Valve clatter at startup?

Oh yea, it quits after a few seconds, or immediately if I just pop the trottle.

[TheresGabe]

I get the SAME thing. The guy at JiffyLube said that using either their brand of high mileage oil, or he had good success with a Royal Purple additive, protects the valve train, when it's "starved" for oil on startup.

[Huli]

Re: Valve clatter at startup?

Sounds like a sales pitch...
... but wait, there's more!

[CrookedHalos]

Mine does the same thing also. A machanic told me its probably just sludgy oil that needs to be warmed up a few seconds to clear.

[Huli]

Re: Valve clatter at startup?

Is there anything in the engine to keep some oil in the top end when it is not running?

[Bert]

Is there anything in the engine to keep some oil in the top end when it is not running?

Switch to synthetic oil; coats the parts and does not wick off like conventional oils. Has worked well for me over the past 25 years. I bought a lo-mile Festy 9 years ago that really clattered upon start-ups. Upon changing the oil a few months later (to synthetic) the extreme clatter all but disappeared.

[WmWatt]

If the noise bothers you you could try turning the engine over a few times with the starting motor to pump some oil before starting the engine. But I'd go with a change in lubricant as suggested.

[Aaronbrook37]

Mine does the same thing also. A machanic told me its probably just sludgy oil that needs to be warmed up a few seconds to clear.

Could try a can of seafoam in the head to clear things up before your next oil change. Might be a good solution to sludgey problems. There seem to be a lot of products on the market that go into the crankcase and do a variety of things from reducing sludge to killing smoke and restoring compression. Now might be the time for one of those. Might also be a good time to pull off the valve cover and ensure you don't have a piece of metal or hunk of goop or gasket that is causing a lot of noise for you. I know my B6T did!

[Huli]

Re: Valve clatter at startup?

-Seafoam was done (2x)
-Valve cover and oil pan were removed and cleaned.

I have a few small oil leaks to chase down still, think synthetic will make them worse?

[Aaronbrook37]

-Seafoam was done (2x)
-Valve cover and oil pan were removed and cleaned.

I have a few small oil leaks to chase down still, think synthetic will make them worse?

Good to hear that. It could possibly make them worse... hard to say. I find that oil leaks are most commonly really silly things, like double-gasket oil filters, loose bolts on the pan and valve cover, and so on. Did you do everything with a torque wrench to proper spec? If not that might be a place to start unless you're like me and are too cheap to buy one!

[Huli]

Re: Valve clatter at startup?

Too cheap!
Gotta go re-tighten the oil pan. I think my rear main might he out too.

[crazyrog17]

Valve clatter at startup?

No better time to slap in a clutch!

[Huli]

Re: Valve clatter at startup?

No better time to slap in a clutch!

Oooh! Great idea!

[Bert]

-Seafoam was done (2x)
-Valve cover and oil pan were removed and cleaned.
I have a few small oil leaks to chase down still, think synthetic will make them worse?

Syn or conventional oils will not do one thing or another better or worse for small leaks (I don't think). But there are additives supposed to seal small leaks (they do something in the presence of air, such as coagulate). Your valve train may need attention in one way or another; some of the lifters or rockers may be worn beyond acceptable limits.