Let me start off by saying I am not hearing the death rattle, and I know what that sounds like.

This is not a heavy clunking sound that you hear when the guides break, but a light rattly metal on metal sound that is most prominent when I'm in my garage because it echoes off of the concrete floor. I replaced the chain tensioner but the sound persists. Oil is always topped up.

It goes away once warmed and the car runs beautifully otherwise, it's just alarming to hear it sounding like it's rattling itself apart.

Does this sound like the timing chain for sure or is there anything else possibly causing this noise? I hear it all the time on cold start on my 09 S (the one I replaced the tensioner on) and just started hearing it on my 13 S, which I thought was interesting because I thought the N18 didn't have this problem.

I apologize for another timing chain post... Just confused.

I can always upload a video tonight to show the noise.

 

Upload the video, veterans here should be able to provide insight.

 

I've always thought these cars were kinda noisy on cold starts. I've ignored it and just let it go. I got tired of looking for it. If you know it has a good oil level, timing chain and tensioner is good and sound, let it go. By seeing and watching some threads, the countless times I've worked on mine, sometimes I wonder if we all get a case of the screw wid it's to get it quiet and we open up other issues that normally may not have came up.

 

I agree with you that it may be nothing, it just sounds like a chain flopping around and smacking off of something. Since its been the holidays I haven't had time to record a video and post it but hopefully Monday I will get a chance.

Just looking for another opinion.

 

These motors are definitely noisy. Keep it in mind. And they old way of thinking, use thicker oil don't work. I tried that too. It Made it worse on cold start up.

 

I got an 09 that was doing the same thing. Finally it started doing it worse. Timing chain had broke the top bracket but thankfully it did not end up in pieces as I caught it fast enough. Replaced the timing chain and everything else that is problem is fixed now