Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Engine Noise When Cold

When i start my 98 CSVT when it is cold (been sitting for at least 4 hours) it makes the noise like when you have just changed the engine oil. It rattles for about a second and then goes away. I have read another post on here regarding the same issue, but he used a bottle of Slick 50. The only thing different i have done was change oil brands from Havoline 5w30 to the Ford Synthetic Blend 5w30 (6 qts every time). I also have always used the motorcraft FL820S oil filter. Am i not getting addequate oil pressure? Will this hurt the life of the engine? When the car is warm, this never happens. Maybe my second oil change of Motorcraft synthetic blend will clear things up? Any comments would be great.

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Marty

It it chain rattle or a knock?

Hard to tell? It makes the same sound as when you first start your car after an oil change (knocking noise). If it was a chain, why would the noise disappear?

Thanks,
Marty

The chain noise is common on older Contours (1995). The noise disappears once the oil pressure tightens the hydraulic tensioner. Your car seems like the oil pressure is low for a moment, which may be OK, since cold oil is thick. (If you are in a cold climate). Maybe swap the oil filter if you are sure the noise is a new one. I would imagine the oil from the dealer would be fine.

I gotta pipe in because I gotta similar problem with my Mystique. I bought the car in July and it wasn't making any unusual noises until I changed the oil about 800 miles later. Then there was a slight ticking sound and of course as the weather got colder the noise is more noticable. After reading the comments to this post I am not sure if it is the lifters or timing chain. The noise goes away after the car is fully warmed up. I live in northern Wisconsin. Car had 92K when I bought it. Previous to me the oil change was done at a CARX; cheap Fram filter and who knows what brand oil. I always use Motorcraft filters and whatever brand oil is cheap at the time. Being a '95 I suppose it could be either. To be honest I THINK the noise is coming from the front bank. And to be honest I'm afraid to open the hood because I am afraid it might be all the lifters. Tho now I see it could be the chain. And of course it is a bit embarassing, but I gotta deal with it until I can find a beater to get me thru 'til spring. The only problem there is I gotta a priority of getting a new satellite receiver first. Gotta keep the wife and grandrats content and outta my hair . But at least as I keep reading this forum I am finding out alot about the nuances of owning a '95 Contique. I love the car and the performance of the V-6 and I am able to deal with the nuances, but I sometimes wish I would've bought a Zetec based Contique instead.

Later. Pepse.

Try 5w30 Mobil 1 with the Motorcraft FL820s filters, works for me. Some minor mechanical noise is normal in my experience in cold weather, even on new Toyotas...Young America Edition, that's rare, by the way.

I've had the same noise, though maybe not as loud, since the car was new if I used non-synthetic oil (only the first change) or when i have more than about 9,000 or 10,000 miles on the oil before a change. It goes away completely with new 5w30 synthetic, brand or filter do not seem to matter.

Meado

I would also check the intake manifold gasket. Make sure all bolts are tight to spec.

I think I will try synthetic. It can't hurt. It's about due for new oil coming up. Funny thing tho, the car made a liar out of me today. Hadn't run it since Friaday night and I start it up and the D*$% thing doesn't tick. First time in a lo-o-o-ong time. Strange. Snappier than it has been in a while from take off, too.

As for being a Young America, I have a feeling that there weren't many out there. Does anyone know if it was sold in the Contour? And did anyone ever see any promotionals on it? Print or TV? I also have a feeling that FOMOCO wouldn't have any idea how many are out there.

Later. Pepse.

When mine was newer, it would rattle a little every so often. It's quiet now, except when I change the oil, then it will rattle for a second until the oil pressure builds up all over. I put a little oil in the filter to help prime it but it still takes time to build up. I always used the FL820S after I learned years ago how crappy the Fram filters are. Tour # 2 rattled from a cold start no matter what I did. They were built a few weeks apart.