Is this sound normal?

[krakatoa]

Start up the car from cold, and you can hear a slight worn bearing style sound on the engine if you put your head close to it by the passenger wheel

It dies down after a minute or two.

Normal?

[sonny]

Has this happened since you have owned the car?
Normally the choke kicks in from a cold start so it could be that. Get it checked out if in doubt.

[PetrolDave]

Normally the choke kicks in from a cold start so it could be that.

Cars haven't had chokes for years - no car with fuel injection (ie all news cars for the last many years) has a choke. Cold start is achieved by extending the injection interval and adjusting the spark timing.

[sonny]

OK so is that not a form of "choke" or the injection interval imitating a choke?
What do "you" think the problem is that Krakatoa is experiencing (hard to judge when some one is explaining it)

[hogster]

Dont have a clue what the noise is but if it makes you feel any better mine does the same.
Car is at Audi tomorrow will ask the question.

[PetrolDave]

OK so is that not a form of "choke" or the injection interval imitating a choke?

It richens the mixture to ease starting, but in a completely different way - a choke" quite literally "chokes" the engine by restricting the airflow into the engine, extending the injection interval leaves the airflow unimpeded which means less enrichment is needed.

What do "you" think the problem is that Krakatoa is experiencing (hard to judge when some one is explaining it)

If I had an idea what is causing the sound he describes I would have posted it, but I have no idea if it's normal or not since I don't go around putting my head close to the passenger wheel just after staring my engine - I can't ther's the wall of the neighbours house there!

[sonny]

Thanks for the explanation.

[P_G]

So the noise is more audible if you put your head near the passenger side front wheel? Sounds more like your power steering motor from that noise as when on full lock and hydraulic fluid level is low the same thing can be experienced. Noise will die away when some heat gest into the fluid and changes level.

Just a thought given the power steering motor and resevoir are over that side of the engine bay.

[northernpar]

At a guess I'd go with P_G on this one. More than likely related to fluid temperature somewhere in the engine bay which after a certian point will die down when the temperature increases. Might be worth checking the PS levels just to give you peace of mind. My Disco 3 makes a 'roar' when pulling away when cold due to a viscous coupling on the cooling system and cold oil but perfectly normal and does no damage whatsoever.

Can't say I've noticed the noise it on my car but then again normally inside it after starting it! But will keep an ear out.

[wellzieRS4]

mine has had a noise like that only when i start it after a couple of days of not starting and when it is really cold outside

[PetrolDave]

I think I'm with the cold power steering fluid suggestion - worth checking the fluid level as suggested by P_G.