[MLJJ]

On cold start ups, in neutral, and an ambient temperature around 75F I hear what sounds like valve(s) tapping. It lasts a couple of minutes until the engine has warmed a bit and I don't hear it again until the next cold start. On another note, I've noticed that my water temp varies. Sometimes it is the exact same temp as my oil (194F) after the engine is fully warmed (very suspicious) and other times the water temp is in the low 230s, which I take to be near normal. No warning indicators for either. Anyone experienced these?

 

[KEN OB]

I hear valve tapping but only on some cold starts.

Ken

 

[JazzCatGab]

On cold start ups, in neutral, and an ambient temperature around 75F I hear what sounds like valve(s) tapping. It lasts a couple of minutes until the engine has warmed a bit and I don't hear it again until the next cold start. On another note, I've noticed that my water temp varies. Sometimes it is the exact same temp as my oil (194F) after the engine is fully warmed (very suspicious) and other times the water temp is in the low 230s, which I take to be near normal. No warning indicators for either. Anyone experienced these?

During my break-in period, driven mostly in the mid 50Fs or low 60Fs, it was very common for me to see both the oil and water temperatures at 194F or sometimes with a little variation in each. Now, although I'm still being somewhat conservative (accidentally), I do see higher oil temperatures with greater and more varied RPMs and water temperatures (as well as air temperatures) are sometimes higher also. So, I don't think your oil temps are out of the ordinary. Can't really say about the water temperatures.

 

[Schredder]

My friend has a 75 VW beetle, and I do hear the 4 banger rumble , for a minute on cold starts, but it fades as it warms up

 

[MikePhDPE]

are you sure it isn't the sound of the injectors? My previous car was also a 4 cyl turbo direct injection and there was a clear, loud ticking sound that was from the injectors and totally normal.

 

[717R]

are you sure it isn't the sound of the injectors? My previous car was also a 4 cyl turbo direct injection and there was a clear, loud ticking sound that was from the injectors and totally normal.

Sorry, how to tell the diff between injector ticking and valve tapping sounds. I do hear this from time to time, at cold starts and also post drives.

 

[wriggly]

When I shopped for my Cayman, I first drove a base. The engine was making very loud tappet noise. The test drive was only about 3 miles. I almost walked away at that point because I was so disappointed with the engine noise. The salesman talked me into taking an S for a test ride. The engine was very quiet and the performance markedly better. I ended up seeing a GTS on the lot and drove that and bought it.

My CGTS has done the tappet noise about 4-5 times on cold start in the year I’ve owned it. I’ve found that if I pull over and shut off the engine for 30 seconds or so the noise is gone on restart. Go figure, I have no explanation for it. The base I drove may have benefited from shutting it down and restarting it. Don’t know, didn’t get a chance. Just thought that’s the way the base model engines sounded.

Could it possibly be from the oil system draining down and causing a temporary oil starvation situation?

 

[718S]

Funny, I test drove a few 718s before buying my 2019 S. One base 718 did seem to have a loud tappet noise that concerned me. I figured the 718 had solid lifters and maybe that one was out of adjustment. But I think they are all hydraulic and couldn’t figure out why that one seemed loud.

 

[Nosmo]

On the temperature front. Water temp has so far never exceeded 194F (90C). Oil temp in sports mode hovers around the 194F (90C) to 203F (95C). When driving in comfort mode water temp remains as above and oil fluctuates between 213F (101C) and 228F (109C). I've had no reason to be in sports+ yet and have consequently never seen the temps.

 

[Z06jerry]

On cold start ups, in neutral, and an ambient temperature around 75F I hear what sounds like valve(s) tapping. It lasts a couple of minutes until the engine has warmed a bit and I don't hear it again until the next cold start. On another note, I've noticed that my water temp varies. Sometimes it is the exact same temp as my oil (194F) after the engine is fully warmed (very suspicious) and other times the water temp is in the low 230s, which I take to be near normal. No warning indicators for either. Anyone experienced these?

Started my 718 Boxster for first time in 4 months after winter storage, nasty ticking sound from one of the lifters lasting for several minutes before going away. My guess is this car has hydraulic lifters and one of them drained all of its oil while car was in storage. Next year I'll start the engine a couple of times during the winter.

 

[GregW]

<snip>Next year I'll start the engine a couple of times during the winter.

Ummm--not a good idea. The condensation/unburned fuel will collect in the oil. I'm not sure what to do about the tapping--we don't even have a winter here that precludes top-down motoring in the Boxster.

 

[Yuro]

Started my 718 Boxster for first time in 4 months after winter storage, nasty ticking sound from one of the lifters lasting for several minutes before going away. My guess is this car has hydraulic lifters and one of them drained all of its oil while car was in storage. Next year I'll start the engine a couple of times during the winter.

This is exactly what's going on. I had a 1995 M3...It was among the first German high-RPM cars to get hydraulic valve actuators. The magic is, you don't have to pay the mechanic anymore to periodically check valve clearance. The M3 would sound positively broken for about half a minute until the valve hydraulics filled themselves with oil. Then, they would do their little shock-absorber thing for the rest of the drive...only made the sound on cold starts.

I think this is the same deal. It's excess valve clearance making the tapping noise. It's harmless.

As always with any IC engine, don't flog it the minute you start it up. Drive moderately until the oil temp is up...Then, of course, hit it as hard as you want.

 

[Z06jerry]

Ummm--not a good idea. The condensation/unburned fuel will collect in the oil. I'm not sure what to do about the tapping--we don't even have a winter here that precludes top-down motoring in the Boxster.

I guess I should mentioned it spends the winter in a heated garage so not too concerned about condensation.

This is exactly what's going on. I had a 1995 M3...It was among the first German high-RPM cars to get hydraulic valve actuators. The magic is, you don't have to pay the mechanic anymore to periodically check valve clearance. The M3 would sound positively broken for about half a minute until the valve hydraulics filled themselves with oil. Then, they would do their little shock-absorber thing for the rest of the drive...only made the sound on cold starts.

I think this is the same deal. It's excess valve clearance making the tapping noise. It's harmless.

As always with any IC engine, don't flog it the minute you start it up. Drive moderately until the oil temp is up...Then, of course, hit it as hard as you want.

Yeah, ... I'm not worried about it, if it happened every restart I would ask the Dealer to replace the lifter.

 

[GregW]

I guess I should mentioned it spends the winter in a heated garage so not too concerned about condensation.

Water is a product of the combustion cycle and creeps into the oil. It is evaporated when the oil comes up to temperature. That's one reason why short drives are hard on oil and engines.

 

[Z06jerry]

Water is a product of the combustion cycle and creeps into the oil. It is evaporated when the oil comes up to temperature. That's one reason why short drives are hard on oil and engines.

Yup, I agree.