tractorlike/lumpy startup from cold?

My 2000 996 C2 sounds pretty damn rubbish when i start it from cold in the mornings and after work which is really quite frustrating considering my previous E46 M3 sounded pretty mean whenever i started that up. To describe it is almost like a tractor or old diesil starting up with an almost tappety type sound. This tappety sound isnt bad sounding and fades within about 10-15 seconds. If the engine is warm, i dont get any of these if i start it up again. I've done some research and heard that those engines can suffer from the pressure not having built up in the valve lifters from cold which causes the problem. I've also heard something about solenoids causing it? I have it booked in to get a PSE Exhaust system at an OPC in about 7 days so was wondering if it was worth booking someone to have a look at that as well? Any advice gladfully received!

Hi, yes this is fairly normal - raise revs to about 3k, and drop to idle the 'ticking should be gone' no harm in getting OPC to check it for you though if its in. - Simon

My 2001 Carrera 4 does EXACTLY the same. I posted a topic on August 15th - Noisy exhaust on start up - and the consensus seemed to be that it was nothing to worry about. The problem is that it wasn't doing it before so there must be some reason. Mine settles down after about a mile of running but it is a bit of a pain as I leave the house quite early and the neighbours know about it. I'd be VERY interested to hear the outcome of your service check as I clearly have the same problem, but you can almost predict to the second the time the exhaust note settles down.

How do you drive the car, do you tend to drive it hard before you get home, i.e. turn the car off. Do you let it cool down before you turn it off. I had a similar problem on my last porsche and was more of a rumbling sound but found that it was only present when I had hammered the car the night before, before I shut it down. I just let it settle down and it stop making that noise. Not sure that helps but see how it goes. Another thing not sure if the tapets are self adjusting hence the reason the noise goes.

You should hear a GT3 starting up after being left for a few days - I remember the first time I started her up after buying her, I thought a lemon. :shoot: I never take her over 3,000 revs till she is up to temp. and I always drive slow for the last mile or two before I turn her off. As long with this, let her stand for 30 sec's before turning her off !

Your's has a proper dry sump though, Dan so that behaviour is sensible. With the 996 C2 it should be OK. What's the oil level like nucastle?

Got it back from having the PSE fitted today. I asked them to look at the noise from cold startup, and when i spoke to the engineer today he said everything was completely normal and no problems were found. Guess i'll have to take their word for it. I guess pre 2001 cars are going to be subject to the valve lifter pressure issue no matter what (i guess). Oil levels according to the dashboard are only one bar less than 'full' - and i topped it up last week just to make sure.

I think I have found the problem. My 996 started doing this after an oil change at an independent and he asked me if I was OK with a different oil that they used and said I was happy with his choice. It turns out that Mobil1 0W-40 oil was developed partially to eliminate cold start hydraulic valve lifter noise that developed in some of the 996s and Boxsters. This was used in model I bought and then NOT used by my independent guy. I am putting mine in for another (proper) oil change and this will fix it I believe.