Fiesta - Clatter noise when A/C is ON during Cold start

anachronix · 17th November 2010, 15:23

All,

My Fiesta 1.6 is over 18 Months old with 30K KMs on the ODO.

There is a clatter noise which comes from somewhere towards the right side of the engine compartment during cold start when the A/C is switched ON. It does go away once the vehicle is running upto temparature. Its really annoying and quite audible during cold start.

Checked with the SA @ Ford A.S.S who mentioned that the noise is normal and its due to the cold coolant thats getting circulated to the water pump and the bearings sound coarse during cold start until they are upto temparature. I am not sure if I understood his statement quite well.

What could be this noise? Is this a slight indication of some big problem thats coming up or its a normal thing in most Fiestas!

Awaiting your inputs & help

Cheers,
Arun

GTO · 17th November 2010, 17:50

Anachronix,

Take a look at this thread. Most probably, its the tappet clearance, one of the tensioners, or a timing chain (don't know if your Fiesta uses a timing chain / belt).

What grade engine oil you using?

anachronix · 17th November 2010, 18:19

I am using Shell Helix Ultra 5W-40. The oil was changed recently after my 30K service. I have driven just over 100KMs with the Shell oil.

This noise is there for over 5K KMs & 4 Months!

The timing belt noise/tappet noise comes only when the A/C in ON? I am not sure about this!

vnabhi · 17th November 2010, 18:46

Since your car is only 18 months old and under warranty, a visit to the Ford workshop is advisable.

I was told by my service advisor that Ford India has asked them to dissuade owners from going for synthetic engine oil, as there were complaints of knocking sounds. I'm not sure if yours is synthetic.

anachronix · 17th November 2010, 19:01

The synthetic oil was added only a week back.

This noise is there for quite sometime now. Nothing to do with the synthetic oil I suppose. Btw, this sounds more like a wing flap noise rather than a clatter! It appears only during cold start!

mb_jg · 18th November 2010, 12:28

I had a similar issue with my Palio, mechanic's say it it the catalytic converter when cold. The noise finally disappeared when I changed the mufflers & exhaust recently.
Get your car checked at the a.s.s, they should be able to sort out the issue.

17th November 2010, 15:23	#1
anachronix Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Madras Posts: 3,286 Thanked: 1,336 Times View My Garage	Fiesta - Clatter noise when A/C is ON during Cold start All, My Fiesta 1.6 is over 18 Months old with 30K KMs on the ODO. There is a clatter noise which comes from somewhere towards the right side of the engine compartment during cold start when the A/C is switched ON. It does go away once the vehicle is running upto temparature. Its really annoying and quite audible during cold start. Checked with the SA @ Ford A.S.S who mentioned that the noise is normal and its due to the cold coolant thats getting circulated to the water pump and the bearings sound coarse during cold start until they are upto temparature. I am not sure if I understood his statement quite well. What could be this noise? Is this a slight indication of some big problem thats coming up or its a normal thing in most Fiestas! Awaiting your inputs & help Cheers, Arun
	() Thanks

17th November 2010, 17:50	#2
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 71,540 Thanked: 309,747 Times View My Garage	Anachronix, Take a look at this thread. Most probably, its the tappet clearance, one of the tensioners, or a timing chain (don't know if your Fiesta uses a timing chain / belt). What grade engine oil you using?
	() Thanks

17th November 2010, 18:19	#3
anachronix Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Madras Posts: 3,286 Thanked: 1,336 Times View My Garage	I am using Shell Helix Ultra 5W-40. The oil was changed recently after my 30K service. I have driven just over 100KMs with the Shell oil. This noise is there for over 5K KMs & 4 Months! The timing belt noise/tappet noise comes only when the A/C in ON? I am not sure about this!
	() Thanks

17th November 2010, 18:46	#4
vnabhi Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: DC -> DC Posts: 5,979 Thanked: 2,406 Times View My Garage	Since your car is only 18 months old and under warranty, a visit to the Ford workshop is advisable. I was told by my service advisor that Ford India has asked them to dissuade owners from going for synthetic engine oil, as there were complaints of knocking sounds. I'm not sure if yours is synthetic.
	() Thanks

17th November 2010, 19:01	#5
anachronix Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Madras Posts: 3,286 Thanked: 1,336 Times View My Garage	The synthetic oil was added only a week back. This noise is there for quite sometime now. Nothing to do with the synthetic oil I suppose. Btw, this sounds more like a wing flap noise rather than a clatter! It appears only during cold start!
	() Thanks

18th November 2010, 12:28	#6
mb_jg BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Pune Posts: 485 Thanked: 124 Times	I had a similar issue with my Palio, mechanic's say it it the catalytic converter when cold. The noise finally disappeared when I changed the mufflers & exhaust recently. Get your car checked at the a.s.s, they should be able to sort out the issue.
	() Thanks