Why Does the New Santana Make Abnormal Noises When Starting Cold?
2 Answers
New Santana cold start abnormal noise reasons: Lack of lubrication: This is usually caused by the internal gears of the starter losing lubrication, leading to stiffness or jamming, which affects the timely return of the gears. That is, when starting the engine, the starter rotates to drive the flywheel, thereby starting the engine. At this time, the engine speed is driven by the starter, so the engine speed is lower than the starter speed. When the engine starts and its speed exceeds the starter speed, manually turning off the ignition switch cuts the power, shutting down the starter. Dirty starter: Due to excessive dirt inside the starter and ineffective lubrication, the flywheel engine forcibly drives the starter to operate at its own speed. Since there is a speed difference between the two, this causes the starter to produce the "grinding" noise that is heard.
I recently purchased a new Santana and soon noticed a rattling noise during cold starts, which sounded like metal friction. Through research and self-study, I found this is mainly because the engine oil hasn't fully lubricated when cold. At low temperatures, the oil's viscosity increases, reducing its flowability, which leads to increased friction in components like valves or pistons, causing noise. Another common cause is the belt system, such as the alternator belt or fan belt, which can harden and contract in the cold, leading to squeaking when loose during operation. It could also be issues with hydraulic lifters or the timing chain, where cold-start gaps widen and create noise. I tried warming up the engine for a few minutes before starting, which reduced the noise, but I still recommend checking oil levels and belt conditions early. Ignoring this could lead to more serious wear. After changing to fresh oil recently, the situation improved significantly. Regular maintenance can prevent minor issues from worsening.
