When I start my 2001 S2k on cold mornings (35

 

Has anyone actually had their car stall the first time they turn in on after a winter's night? Mine seems to hesitate on occasion. Is this normal?

 

SkipX, I've had the same sound once or twice on my engine with the replacement short block. It absolutely freaked me out because it was so similar to the tap-tap-tap of the failing original short block. However, it went right away and I have not had it recur in the last month.

I don't think there's too much you can do except be sure you have in a full supply of oil, don't start the engine below zero deg F (unless you switch to 5W-40), and wait.

If you absolutely want, you could inspect the spark plugs for fouling or even better use a bore-o-scope to inspect the insides of the cylinders through the spark plug holes. I wouldn't bother unless the problem becomes more regular or fails to go away when the engine warms up.

It is NOT a normal sound. Log it. Log a concern with your dealer. Hope for the best. It is probably going to go away.

Barry

 

Barry,

Thanks for the help with this issue. I have my service rep on the phone this moring to schedule a visit to the service dept. later this week.

-Ian

 

I just returned from the dealer. This is a common and normal engine noise, when starting at temperatures below 32

 

Oooops!

"Often wrong, but never in doubt."

I'm VERY GLAD that it is a normal sound.

Barry

 

Lots of cars with chain driven overhead cams produce some noise when they first start up(ever own a newer Ford?).
It won't hurt anything and will go away in a few seconds. Since all other Hondas use quiet timing belts, most Honda owners arn't familiar with this type of noise.

Another source of start-up knocking is caused by the larger bearing clearances in the engine which are necessary for the extreme rpms this engine can achieve. These noises also will go away in a few seconds as the oil pressure builds up.

Moral of the story...take it easy on the thing til it warms up.

 

SkipX - thanks for the info. I have the same noise when the engine RPMs drop to about 1500 during warm-up. It usually lasts about 20-30 seconds or so. Of couse, I was never able to reproduce it at the dealer because it disappears after warm-up (and I didn't feel compelled to leave the car overnight at the dealer's just for this issue). Anyway, nice to know that it does not appear to be anything to worry about.