Hey I have had this engine noise for quite a while. When the car starts up from being cold, there is this sound from the engine bay that sounds like clattering or two metal balls rubbing together for a little, then rubbing again, etc. When the car is warmed up or been driven the noise does not occur as loud or frequently. I tried capturing the noise with my camera but it will not pick it up.

I have watched many videos of the TCT noise, and it does not sound like it and the sound is only at idle. I have never done a valve readjustment or changed the TCT. The car has 15,500 miles and is from 2005.

 

I had a metal on metal sound from hood dampers. They required grease and the noise went away.

Anything can could be loose that would 'tighten' up with heat?

 

Yea its definitely not that, like the sound is coming from the engine. Not sure if its valve train noise or what, but again it sounds like two marbles hitting or rolling against each other. My friend heard it for a little and thought it was the hydraulic lifters, but S2000 doesn't have that so yea.

 

hi xene,

a video with sound would be helpful.

it could be the valves...
but some people are just TOO carfeful / concerned and hear problems
although there isnt a prob.

im such a person, too

mine do some silent "metal on metal" sound if iths cold, too.
and when it is warmed up, the sound disappears quite completely, but not complete at all.

could also be the valves, but there arent 45.000km done since the last valve adjustment,
so i will wait for while untill i will make an adjustment.

but dont forget: some noises are totally normal for the F20C.
if it is really silent dont be to concerned

 

Valves on our car tick normally a little louder at idle, but this still doesn't agree with your "metal on metal" sound... A TCT sound is like cards in a wheel spoke sort of sound, which is not applicable to your situation.

 

additionally dont forget, that the injectors make a noise, too.
and that noise isnt that silent, it is clearly hearable,
especiallly when the engine is warm / hot.

maybe you dont have a metal sound...sometimes it isnt easy to describe noises well

how i said before: without any soundfile (video), nobody can help you sufficiently

 

I will try and get a video up, probably need a high quality video camera to capture the sound well, since it is so discrete.