salty

Over the past couple of months I began to notice a 'rattle' from engine when cold first thing in the morning. This stops after a minute or so and the engine is then rattle free. The 'rattle' seems to be same as you get in the first few seconds at start up while the oil circulates.
This rattle 'comes and goes' as the engine warms up and idles on 'choke'. Now the car has been to the dealer for examination and they have denied there is a problem. On Wednesday it goes back for the service manager, his senior mechanic and me to have a listen as I don't accept their verdict.
To my mind the rattle is either the cam tappets or possibly the timing chain. Any one else had this problem?

S2kSi

Salty,

I had very similar symptoms with my car - only when starting from cold and only for about a minute or so.

It sounded exactly like tappets or timing change - i.e. a rattle that seemed to be coming from the engine itself.

Turned out to be the air pump. This comes on when you start the engine from cold and pumps fresh air into the exhaust to get the CAT up to temperature quicker. It doesn't come on if the engine is already warm.

I asked my local dealer to have a look while it was in for servicing and they said "nothing wrong".

2 months later the pump seized and I got the engine warning light on the dash - only then did the dealer diagnose it correctly.

Luckily it was replaced under extended warranty - handy cos the part is

salty

thanks Si, that could be the problem. I'll see what the dealer says on Wednesday and mention the air pump. Good man.