Engine: 2.5: Clatter / dry metal scraping sound on start up

[volvo2]

I am getting a strange sound when starting from cold after not using the car for a day or two.

It sounds almost like a lack of lubrication somewhere. I am hoping it is not coming from the camshaft. Could it be the power steering or water pump? The noise goes away after a few seconds and is not there when the engine is running. It is not coming from the belts themselves. I am not losing any oil or other fluids. It only occurs after a period of not using the car.

Any ideas?

[RollingThunder]

Use a mechanics stethyscope to identify where the noise is coming from, just be careful not to catch it in any moving parts! Check the usual - alternator, PAS pump etc, but also check the oil filter. I bought a spare or repair car a few months ago which had an 'engine fault' - it turned out to be a defective cheapo oil filter. Did an oil change and put a Volvo filter on and viola, no noise! Its rare to come across this, but it does crop up from time to time, especially with cheap oil filters.

[volvoid]

My best guess is a blocked / failed oil filter, its not holding the oil for initial lubrication. Replace it and top up before going further. A complete oil change wont hurt.
Hope its a simple and easy as that

[volvoid]

how long is "a while" ? If its weeks, you dont have a problem, its the oil draining back down.
Until its fixed, disconnect the main ht lead and spin engine over or starter for a few short bursts to get the oil spread around before firing up.

[volvo2]

Thanks for your thoughts. I had thought it could be the check valve in the oil filter myself and so changed that (genuine Volvo) and changed the oil (it is always kept topped up) but that made no difference. It has been difficult for me to locate the source of the sound as it is there for only a couple of seconds (although is loud and worrying) and does not occur again unless the engine is not started for several days.

I do have to park on a very steep slope (front down), I guess that may not help promote even lubrication.

[Chris_Rogers]

My guess would be the auxiliary belt.

You could try taking it off then start the car and see if the noise has gone.

[Shinsplintz 101]

try the starter motor. as they get older the shaft moves about & doesn't mesh properly with the teeth on the fly wheel. I had it on my old 850t5. replaced the started horrible graunching noise on start up gone. good luck, morgan

[volvo2]

Thanks again.

It is not the auxiliary belt (not that kind of sound and I have changed that recently anyway).

I guess it could be the starter but it sounds higher up in the engine and only occurs after a few days of standing unused (I would have thought a starter problem would be there more generally).

[960kg]

Originally Posted by volvo2

I am getting a strange sound when starting from cold after not using the car for a day or two.

It sounds almost like a lack of lubrication somewhere. I am hoping it is not coming from the camshaft. Could it be the power steering or water pump? The noise goes away after a few seconds and is not there when the engine is running. It is not coming from the belts themselves. I am not losing any oil or other fluids. It only occurs after a period of not using the car.

Any ideas?

You don`t say what model motor or year ....it is probably the steering pump as it screeches inside at first while the oil is cold and thicker until it has pumped around after about 10/15secs

I used mine once a week before i sold it and it did exactly the same thing. Use some "Slick 50" to top up with and it won`t do it again!

[volvo2]

It is a 1994, petrol, non-turbo, 2435cc, 10 valve.

Yes, it could be the power steering pump.

It does not use any oil but I guess could replace what is in the top-up reservoir with the Slick 50 Power Steering Fluid you mention.