355 Engine noise when cold?
Discussion
I tested a potential 355 spider purchase and the engine was fine on start up, the seller (dealer) then took us out and from cold gave it the full beans several times (why?? I have no idea.....), then offered me the drive.
Before taking the wheel I popped the lid and the engine at idle was giving off a slight knock/slap. In steady rhythm - and not a tap.
I then drove gently until she was properly warmed up before giving her a blast. Pulling into the garage afterward and letting it tickover the noise had gone, and the seller gave it full revs stationary, blipping through various engine speeds so I could check the exhaust.
At no point was there any smoke or struggling to idle or crazy oil pressure
The engine pulled smooth and true and performance was right.
Any opinions on whether the cold thrashing could create a temporary oil starvation or something that might have caused the knock I heard? If it were a private seller I wouldn't even consider it but I think this dealer is genuinely unaware of the error of his ways.......and I don't think hes been out in the car many times!
Before taking the wheel I popped the lid and the engine at idle was giving off a slight knock/slap. In steady rhythm - and not a tap.
I then drove gently until she was properly warmed up before giving her a blast. Pulling into the garage afterward and letting it tickover the noise had gone, and the seller gave it full revs stationary, blipping through various engine speeds so I could check the exhaust.
At no point was there any smoke or struggling to idle or crazy oil pressure
The engine pulled smooth and true and performance was right.
Any opinions on whether the cold thrashing could create a temporary oil starvation or something that might have caused the knock I heard? If it were a private seller I wouldn't even consider it but I think this dealer is genuinely unaware of the error of his ways.......and I don't think hes been out in the car many times!
Thanks guys for the responses
Is certainly wasn't a whir or buzz - I would say it was electrical in any way.
Dry Tappets - I would have thought would be more of a 'chatter'? more akin to making the car sound like a diesel for a few seconds? This was a slower mild knock.
Exhaust bypass valve - definitely not. I know this sound.
Oil pump chain tensioner - if this were failing, would the noise disappear when warm? I would have thought it would get noisier if anything? Would it be in rhythm or random/intermittent?
Manifold Crack - would this sound like a knock? Possibly I suppose. Again - would it abate when hot?
Alternator belt tensioner - again would this be in rhythm?
Hydraulic lifter - I have no idea what these are!
I would have an indie look at it, but this could prove problematic unless someone can point me at someone genuinely trusted near Milan.......
Is certainly wasn't a whir or buzz - I would say it was electrical in any way.
Dry Tappets - I would have thought would be more of a 'chatter'? more akin to making the car sound like a diesel for a few seconds? This was a slower mild knock.
Exhaust bypass valve - definitely not. I know this sound.
Oil pump chain tensioner - if this were failing, would the noise disappear when warm? I would have thought it would get noisier if anything? Would it be in rhythm or random/intermittent?
Manifold Crack - would this sound like a knock? Possibly I suppose. Again - would it abate when hot?
Alternator belt tensioner - again would this be in rhythm?
Hydraulic lifter - I have no idea what these are!
I would have an indie look at it, but this could prove problematic unless someone can point me at someone genuinely trusted near Milan.......
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