Sounds like a diesel

[caspervue]

When the 2003 V6 Vue is first warming up, it sounds like a diesel engine. Any ideas on what would be causing this?

Additionally, how much longer are the bolt holes that fasten down the vacuum chamber?

Please let me know. Thanks!!

[VTchemist]

How many miles on your 03 VUE? Had any work done recently? Changed grades of fuel?

[Mic_]

When the 2003 V6 Vue is first warming up, it sounds like a diesel engine. Any ideas on what would be causing this?

Additionally, how much longer are the bolt holes that fasten down the vacuum chamber?

Please let me know. Thanks!!

Diesel in the winter is mixed with Kerosene...it will effect one's mileage.
As for engine sound.....???:eek:

[caspervue]

How many miles on your 03 VUE? Had any work done recently? Changed grades of fuel?

It has 85000mi onit w/ no major work performed. I have always run 87 octane in her.

[caspervue]

Diesel in the winter is mixed with Kerosene...it will effect one's mileage.
As for engine sound.....???:eek:

What the hell are you talking about? I would never actually run diesel fuel in this Vue.

[ryanB3]

Does the V6 need an oil filter with a drainback valve?

are you using one?

[BobbyP]

When the 2003 V6 Vue is first warming up, it sounds like a diesel engine. Any ideas on what would be causing this?

Additionally, how much longer are the bolt holes that fasten down the vacuum chamber?

Please let me know. Thanks!!

I'd change your oil and filter and see if the noise goes away. Castrol GTX High Mileage 5w-30 is an excellent dino oil, and a good quality filter. If you use synthetic oil, Mobil 1 has satisfied most everyone.

I'm not sure of the facts, but people have posted that Wal-Mart's store brand synthetic is Mobil 1 synthetic... I have no verification, and never tried Wal-Marts oil... Maybe someone can verify this.

[1saxman]

When the 2003 V6 Vue is first warming up, it sounds like a diesel engine. Any ideas on what would be causing this?

Additionally, how much longer are the bolt holes that fasten down the vacuum chamber?

Please let me know. Thanks!!

Incorrect oil type for very cold climate? Try synthetic 0W30.

[caspervue]

Does the V6 need an oil filter with a drainback valve?

are you using one?

I have no idea on both counts.

[caspervue]

I'd change your oil and filter and see if the noise goes away. Castrol GTX High Mileage 5w-30 is an excellent dino oil, and a good quality filter. If you use synthetic oil, Mobil 1 has satisfied most everyone.

I'm not sure of the facts, but people have posted that Wal-Mart's store brand synthetic is Mobil 1 synthetic... I have no verification, and never tried Wal-Marts oil... Maybe someone can verify this.

I have always used Mobil 1 Synthetic 5W-30 in this Vue.

I would be interested in if Walmart's and Mobil 1 are the same synthetic. If so, those guys are *******s!

[JimJohn1213]

Searched and found this old thread. I have an 03 V6 102K. Had the 100K service (timing belt, plugs, water pump, tranny service, fuel injector cleaning and fuel filter replace) done about 2500 miles ago. I had the work done at a local Meineke shop I have used in the past with good results.

Since the 100K service the engine sounds like a diesel when warming up. Once the engine is at normal operating temp it sounds fine. If I had to guess I would say the noise is from the valves. The Meineke shop said it might be idling higher when cold because of the new timing belt and fuel injection cleaning.

Does anyone know what the normal cold idle should be? Mine runs at about 1100 when first started then drops to about 650 when warm which only takes about 2-3 minutes this time of year. Acceleration is completely normal while warming up. I not too worried because the engine is completely normal once warm and no other symptoms.

Anyone else with the L81 engine have this issue after the 100K service?

[SaturnIONSLVUE]

Mine sounds the same with 42000 miles.
I think it just a nosy tranny.
I always use Mobil 1 and the factory filter.

[JimJohn1213]

Out of curiosity I opened the hood after starting this morning and listened closely to where the noise is coming from. Seems to be from the area where the timing belt is. Actually timed the noise and it dies down within a minute of start up.

Going to check back with the shop that did the timing belt change and see if they have any ideas. Maybe just something with the new timing belt that goes away as the belt warms up.

BTW been running Mobil 1 since 3000 miles. Change it every 5000 miles.

[ls3ftw]

Out of curiosity I opened the hood after starting this morning and listened closely to where the noise is coming from. Seems to be from the area where the timing belt is. Actually timed the noise and it dies down within a minute of start up.

Going to check back with the shop that did the timing belt change and see if they have any ideas. Maybe just something with the new timing belt that goes away as the belt warms up.

BTW been running Mobil 1 since 3000 miles. Change it every 5000 miles.

if it's not valvetrain noise and indeed timing component related get it checked ASAP, if the tensioner's making noise and the belt slips you're going to have a really bad day.

[SaturnIONSLVUE]

At saturn they said the a noise was coming from timing belt area, but they also cheack other vues and found the same noise present.

[06redline]

I have the same noise in my 3.5 ltr Honda V6 2006 Vue Redline with 89,000 mls. I was told by a Saturn Tech that it sounds like piston slap and it is not harmful to the engine. It has to do with the tolerance in the piston wall and the piston itself. When the engine is cold the gap in the piston is greater and when the block warms up it expands and the noise goes away. He told me this will be the same for another 100,000 miles the only way to repair it would be to bore and change the piston. That is one opinion I heard i am going to bring it in for them to check it out to make sure.

[SaturnIONSLVUE]

Maybe someone should ask a honda dealer if you have one near by? I find the people at saturn now are complety incompetent!

[1saxman]

Use Motorcraft Syn Blend 5W30 in your L81s with 8 oz of Lucas oil stabilizer (new car formula) at every change. I've tried most everything else and this is a very good combo.

[SaturnIONSLVUE]

Ford/Motorcraft does have a very good oil product. I have used the Syn Blend and Full Syn. Ford is the Only car company that uses Syn Blend as a standard oil change. You should try the Motorcraft Custom Clear cot Polish.

[04moranjames89]

mine noise never goes away!, it always sounds like a diesel no matter how warmed up it is. my vue has 113000 miles. its sounds like a lifter not a piston slap, a slap would be much pronounced and slower if im not mistaken?...sounds cool though.

this would explain the L81's 'clapping', but I dont have these on the honda 3.5l. (taken from saxman1 on a previous post)

People question the 'clacking' noise of the air flaps all the time that you get when you goose the idling engine. I love the L81, and hope mine lasts a long time. I call it my little 'Quattrovalvole', a reference to the Ferrari dual-cam 4-valve engines of many years ago. The engine certainly has it's share of quirky engineering and odd features, and there's nothing I can do to it other than very basic routine maintenance. I thank you for the great picture, because I'll probably never see under the intake on mine, with any luck. It seems to like Motorcraft syn-blend 5W30 with 8 oz of Lucas 'newer car' oil stabilizer in the engine and the new concentrated Marine Sta-Bil in the gas. I'll have ten years on mine in November of '12. I hope we're both still around!

[04moranjames89]

cancel the vtech comment. 3.0 didnt have it. sry. , so the L88 and this j35 have something in common, not the engine or any of the components in the engine, the trans is different in both, , what is it???:hmpf:

[far2grumpy]

[QUOTE=04moranjames89;1511609]mine noise never goes away!, it always sounds like a diesel no matter how warmed up it is. my vue has 113000 miles. its sounds like a lifter not a piston slap, a slap would be much pronounced and slower if im not mistaken?...sounds cool though.

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Did you have valve lash on your L66 engine adjusted at 100,000 miles?

There are no hydraulic lifters to compensate for mechanical wear so rocker-arms should be adjusted for best performance - and quieter operation.

[04moranjames89]

i have the honda 3.5l, i understand how lash adjustment would help though, maybe its clacking around in the guide. I dont go that far in an engine unless I have to.

[Rivernut]

My 2003 V6 did this in the summer and it got worse within minutes. Saturn couldn't figure it out. I also used Mobil1. Maybe it dissolves a seal somewhere. Sounded like low oil pressure. I ended up replacing the engine with a used one for $4000.