Why does my car make a loud rattle when starting the engine?
An engine startup rattle indicates a mechanical noise occurring immediately upon ignition. This issue stops the engine from idling smoothly and can cause severe shaking throughout the vehicle cabin.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
- 1Changing oil and filters frequently
- 2Performing engine flushes
- 3took to shop
- 4Performing an idle relearn procedure
- 5Turning on the rear defroster to raise the idle speed
- 6Turning off electronics, pressing the clutch, pressing the brake, and toggling the A/C
- 7Clean the idle control valve
- 8Lift the gas pedal up from behind
- 9Suspecting the serpentine belt or checking for known motor issues.
- 10Searching online videos and consulting AI tools
- 11Replacing spark plugs and O2 sensors
- 12Checking engine mounts
- 13checking timing belt and cam bolts
- 14taking the rocker cover off to inspect cams
- 15Replacing lifters and rockers
- 16Inspecting cams
- 17Testing cylinder compression and oil flow
- 18Considering a smoke test for an exhaust leak
- 19guessing potential causes like lifters or valve seats
- 20checking for error codes
- 21inspecting oil for metal shavings
- 22Running the valves and doing an oil change
- 23removing the serpentine belt to test components
- 24Waiting for the noise to become more frequent or consistent
- 25Inspecting components like the timing chain tensioner
- 26Using a stethoscope or long screwdriver on pulleys to check for smooth sound
- 27Inspecting the turbo propeller and hoses manually
- 28Checking pulley play by hand
- 29Removing the accessory drive belt to isolate and eliminate belt-driven components.
- 30checking if the engine heat shield is loose
- 31checking engine oil level
- 32checking exhaust termic shields
- 33consulting online automotive forums for diagnosis
- 34Conducting high-RPM drives
- 35Replacing timing chain kits and VVTI sprockets
- 36Using specialized oil additives
- 37replacing chain kits and VVTI sprockets
- 38cleaning solenoids and oil meshes
- 39using specialized motor oils and anti-drain back filters
- 40Checking components like the muffler or brackets, or turning off the AC to see if the sound changes.
- 41Guessing whether the sound is a valve train tick or a block knock
- 42Assuming the engine is ruined and considering replacement
- 43letting the car dry out after driving through heavy rain
- 44using AI tools to guess the underlying cause
- 45Waiting for the car to warm up until the noise goes away
- 46Waiting for the engine to reach operating temperature where the noise disappears
- 47Checking components underneath the car and attempting to rule out various sources of engine noise
- 48making a wild guess based on symptoms
- 49asking for more information about the car's age, make, and mileage
- 50inspecting manifolds for missing bolts
- 51checking for an exhaust leak at the manifold
- 52check the tightness of the bolts and condition of your motor mounts
- 53Checking exhaust heat shields
- 54Revving the car while parked to see if the noise reproduces
- 55keeping oil levels topped up
- 56trying to find reference videos online
- 57riding at lower speeds and lower rpms
- 58Using an oil filter anti-drain adapter (such as the Baxter adapter)
- 59Sticking with black OEM filters
- 60Checking or changing oil viscosity
- 61Removing the spark plug on the affected cylinder to inspect it
- 62Isolating the source of the noise with a rubber hose or mechanic stethoscope
- 63Replacing the oil pan and running solvents through the engine
In their words
Unedited, most upvoted first, each linked to the thread it came from.
“I have this loud rattle as I turn engine on.”source ↗
“Having this rattle like noise when first turn the on after not running for a while an then will startup just perfect but I can’t seem to pinpoint the noise cause it doesn’t happen all the time anybody ever had this noise ?”source ↗
“Start it up, has a rattling noise. Make the noise when idling and when moving. Got louder the past week. Gets louder when revving higher.”source ↗
“nothing obvious once i got in there which was a letdown as it sounds like something you’d see once you get inside.. so i’m not sure.”source ↗
“Cold start tick that completely disappears after 2-5 minutes, 4 oil and filter changes last 3k miles, two engine flushes, Italian tune up over 100 miles, often at 5k rpm, didn’t fix it”source ↗
“Sometimes my car does this when I start it. The gear selector rapidly clicks and the car drops in RPM.”source ↗
“At times my car will also not start even when shifting into neutral, unsure if this is related.”source ↗
“My concern is the deep tapping sound, is that rod knock, piston slap, chain tensioners, or what?”source ↗
“The engine has this ticking that goes faster under load. Is the engine cooked?”source ↗
“It’s started making this noise when I first start it up from cold.”source ↗
“It goes away after about 5 minutes once the car warms up.”source ↗
“I've noticed a quiet ticking sound (sounds like when you spin a ratcheting wrench round) from my engine as it gets up to higher revs, it climbs with the engine sound 7k rpm + then decreases as it goes down.”source ↗
“I am probably going to take it to a mechanic just to make sure but i want to know what it probably is and if its safe to ride around at slower speeds/lower rpms.”source ↗
“I'm wondering if this means I need to replace my tensioner or anything else, TIA”source ↗
“So, I have a 2009 manual base and as title says, its got a rough idle.”source ↗
“Once driving, then at a stoplight the 600 to 800 cycle i described before begins again.”source ↗
“Until I turned on rear defrost. It still shakes but idles a little higher, but as soon as I turn rear defrost off, it begins violently shaking, most noticeable in passenger seat and by observing the passenger windshield wiper shake like crazy.”source ↗
“there’s no shavings in the oil and everything is connected from what i can tell it’s a 2021 dodge charger rt automatic i recently hydroplaned into a ditch and hit right in the middle of the bottom of the radiator replaced that”source ↗
“Having a rattle noise when I don’t drive for a while but only on first startup after that you won’t hear noting sounds kike it coming from the front somewhere but can’t really tell anybody ever had this problem ?”source ↗
“It sounds like it’s coming from the crank pulley area.”source ↗
“I removed the belt to eliminate all of the belt driven things.”source ↗
“I’m thinking it may be the timing chain tension, any ideas?”source ↗
“Girlfriend sent me this video showing a new rattling like sound coming from her car.”source ↗
“Starter went out a few months ago, I replaced it but now when cranking it sounds like this. Please identify this sound.”source ↗
“2004 Forester EJ25 just started making noise today. Fluids good, recently serviced. Bad flywheel? Clutch?”source ↗
“Goes away with any gas, no check engine lights besides a lean fuel code”source ↗
“How would I diagnose this and is it ok to continue driving on.”source ↗
“I hear this ticking sound is this a sound i should be worried of?”source ↗
“for the past like 6 months I’ve heard a rattling/ grinding noise that is especially loud on cold starts, but quiets up after about 2 minutes of driving.”source ↗
“pretty much every time i start it (warm or cold), before it drops to the final idle position around 650rpm it shakes.”source ↗
“The car has no issues driving normally or under load otherwise.”source ↗
“I have an issue and I just can't figure out what exactly happened.”source ↗
“When they get it all back together still made the tick.”source ↗
“It's bizarre that now when you start it up no ticking noise but only an acceleration.”source ↗
“Myself mechanic is scratching our heads.”source ↗
“Super loud knocking that showed up today.”source ↗
“Just shoot me straight I think I know what’s coming for me”source ↗
“this is well beyond the normal volume range.”source ↗
“Sounds like it has no oil in it”source ↗
“I bought this car last week and found out it makes quite terrible noise when cold. After ten minutes of draiving, its silent.”source ↗
“i started having this noise every time I start the car from 1 to 10 Miles I don't know what it is.”source ↗
“I wasn't sure if it was the turbo the ac compressor is out doesn't work.”source ↗
“Trying to diagnose this noise on my 2013 Rav4. I only hear it when I'm in Drive, idling (ex: at a red light). I did check to see if the engine heat shield was loose, it seems secure.”source ↗
“Loud scary underhood noise that is RPM dependant”source ↗
“I’m trying to diagnose a metallic clacking/rattling noise coming from the bottom of my Honda Fit 2007 LX 1.4 i-DSI engine.”source ↗
“this noise is driving me crazy and making me paranoid about rod knock.”source ↗
“it has developed what sounds like a lifter tick from the rear drivers side. Cold start, warm start, doesn’t matter. The thing is, it goes away almost immediately after shifting into gear.”source ↗
“Car vibrates bad, bangs on the plastic underneath i think. Goes away after it warms up. If you push down on the motor it gets louder and if you pull on it it goes away.”source ↗
“I could use help from some professionals, because I am stumped!”source ↗
“In this video, you can hear a rattling noise start suddenly around 2500rpm... It happens in every gear, around that RPM range, and only when I give it some throttle.”source ↗
“At first I thought it was a heat shield rattling but nothing seems loose.”source ↗
“It uses spin on filters already, it's just making a muffled knock sound for a second or two after a cold start while using a micro guard select filter.”source ↗
“Makes this knocking noise at idle.”source ↗
“Goes away once throttle is applied.”source ↗
“Engine codes show cylinder misfire P0302.”source ↗
“Is this the end of the trusty old Nav for me?”source ↗
“it’s hard to explain it just sounds like it doesn’t wanna start like it makes that noise when you try to start a car with a dead battery”source ↗
“Cold start tick that completely disappears after 2-5 minutes, 4 oil and filter changes last 3k miles, two engine flushes, Italian tune up over 100 miles, often at 5k rpm, didn’t fix it, chain kit + VVTI sprockets replaced, VVTI solenoid & oil mesh next to it cleaned, they weren’t dirty, no glitter in oil, camshaft lobes are OK according to two mechanics who inspected them, car runs absolutely fine minus the cold start tick, doesn’t burn oil, currently running valvoline restore and protect 0w20 along with Oem anti drain back oil filte”source ↗
“after about 20 minutes the car started surging- giving gas, cutting out for a few seconds, giving gas again, repeatedly - while holding the pedal steadily.”source ↗
“today it stuttered the entire drive to work.”source ↗
“anything would be useful- I’m not great with cars and still learning.”source ↗
“I noticed this about a week ago it would make that weird noise and basically it takes a extra few seconds to start and sounds like it doesn’t wanna start every time I start the car not sure what it is”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 7Engine rattling noise and sudden coolant leak while driving
- 18Why does my car run terribly and stutter after a long drive?
- 33How to figure out what an unfamiliar car engine noise is
- 62How to explain an intermittent car noise to a mechanic
- 8Why does a car shake when idling after sitting for years?
- 2Why does my car make a clicking noise and not start?