Just wondering if anyone else hears a regular (fast) tapping noise when our cars are cold for about the first 5-10 mins into a drive? but dissapears once the car is warm? Is it somthing I should be worried about?

Thank you

 

I haven't heard that.... maybe you should let your car warm up a little more... or at all.

 

Possible timing chain tensioner problem if the noise goes away when it's warmed up.

 

is it somthing I should be really worried about?

 

If it's the tensioner, the noise you are hearing is from the timing chain not having the proper tension applied to it. I'd worry about it.

I also have replaced about 5 tensioners in the last year. It's a fairly common problem.

 

is the chain tensioner somthing that should be replaced often? like ever couple of oil changes?

 

No, it's not a regular maintenance item. I've never heard a replacement tensioner make the same noise the original did.

It would also get expensive replaceing them all the time. (they run $125 just for the part)

 

Very easy replacement item though (roughly 15-20mins). As Billman stated it was the "card in the bike spokes" sound..

 

How much driving with the car like this would cause perminent damage? It has been doing this for sometime now.

 

I've been driving my car for quite a while before I found a thread that addressed my problem was the tensioner.. I don't think theres any long term affects.. however you probably would want to replace it soon before anything DOES happen .

I had the tapping AND the starter after-run sound.. which is what peaked my worry ... After replacing the tensioner it definitely solved my problem.. starts without a sound jus like when it was new