Hey all, I know there are other threads like this one but none of them are quite the samne as my prob.
I have a 2000 TJ VR-X 3.5 and when cold in the mornings rattles something fierce and really loud for up to 5 seconds sometimes, and also rattles when you rev it.
I'm hoping its an oil issue (get really cold here in the mornings atm and has been about 7000 since last oil change) but the mnitsi dealer reckons it might be an oil pump issue.
The car has done 160000k so what do you all think...
It's only rattley at cold start and when you rev it over 2800rpmish.
Otherwise its quiet...
Thanks for any help!

Without hearing it, i'd say it's normal. Most engines i've heard are abit noisier in the mornings when it's very cold.

same prob ehre, I poured 1L of oil into it, hope it fixed it!

Will go look now

It definatly seems to be an oil problem!

My advise is just top the think up untill it is right on full and see if that makes a difference!

It definatly seems to be an oil problem!

My advise is just top the think up untill it is right on full and see if that makes a difference!
You can overfill it, and will most likely ruin ur engine.

Well they wouldn't make full full if it was going to ruin your engine!

You can overfill it, and will most likely ruin ur engine.

You need to overfill it quite abit to damage the engine....... a couple of millimeters above the full mark on the dipstick is hardly going to do any damage, which probably accounts for an extra .5 - .75 of a litre of oil.

Can you isolate where in the engine bay the rattle comes from? In my experience, many 3.5L's rattle from the engine pipes (factory headers) and from the pulleys at the front of the engine. Both of which are pretty normal, and shouldn't be a problem.

Mine's got the same rattle. I just had the beast serviced too, so I haven't checked my oil level. But I'm assuming its the standard rattle.

It definatly seems to be an oil problem!

My advise is just top the think up untill it is right on full and see if that makes a difference!

that is cos the astron uses oil to lubricate the chain... and to tension the main cam chain.

if your chain is still rattly, you can adjust one of the two chains from the timing cover. The chain that is usually the problem in the astron motor is the oil pump/balanceshaft chain. this is the one that needs manual adjustment.


as for a gen3 being rattly... i dunno lol

Filling the oil to full is actually the way to do it! Cars seem to burn less oil when its slightly above the full mark, and it won't do in any damage at a few millimetres. The low mark is actually the minimal mark, any lower than that and you'll do damage!

The injectors can be noisy sometimes aswell

Dont know if this would help, but i had my car used to rattle when cold or when revved. It was actually exhaust. IT was a flange that had worn. They cut the exhaust, took it out and now its quiet as. Its very common apparently.

Well, last night i chucked a bit of valvoline xld 20/50 that was lying about in to top it up and the rattle is a bit less now... the oil was already at full but so now its overfull to a degree...
Anyway, the rattle comes from the rear of the engine (near firewall) and seems to be the passenger side of the cyl bank... if that helps :confused:

Sounds like the exact same as my problem, I was thinking it might be the timing chain?

Sounds like the exact same as my problem, I was thinking it might be the timing chain?
:confused: 3rd gens dont have chains they have Belts, And the noise would be a sticky lifter just at the next oil change add some lifter free tune and it should work. also engine oil cleaner to take the sludge and crap out before adding new oil

I hope that works

:confused: 3rd gens dont have chains they have Belts, And the noise would be a sticky lifter just at the next oil change add some lifter free tune and it should work. also engine oil cleaner to take the sludge and crap out before adding new oil

I hope that works

Oh, I have a 1st gen....

I should be doing an oil change next week if I get the time, whats this lifter free tune stuff and where can I get it?

Ok this is gonna sound really simple but i found the solution to the rattly problem!!
All i did was change the oil to Valvoline XLD Engine armour and after 500k the noise is almost completly gone!
I think the trick is to change your oil more around the 5-6000 km mark (i never did like 10000k servicing) especially if you drive it hard like i do. And i have always found valvoline to quieten and seal engines. Best of all its like the cheapest brand name oil you can get... i think its cos its mostly mineral oil or something, but its good.
Oh, and i also found using ford tranny fluid and servicing that like every 15000 to be really benificial too. makes the car shift firmer. and it exceeds mitsi specs. i also ripped a s/h tranny cooler out of the local wreaker, got it checked for 15$ and whacked it on, helps prevent overheating of the auto, which it likes to do alot...cost like 40$ including pipes and ties, etc.
Thanks for all yo input ppl!!
I had mechanics telling me all sorts of crap like i needed a rebuild and the bores were flogged and stuff like that and all it needed was a 20 buck bottle of the val!

oh well, catch ya's!