What's this "clacking" noise?

phunk

The transmissions make all kinds of noises in these cars but they sound nothing like engine noises. The trans sounds are best describe as a cement mixer or grinder. It literally sounds like the transmission is full of rocks. That is normal when you load the trans at lower rpm or even at idle.

Engine sounds are very different. I can't process those zip files from my iPad here so ill try again later. If it makes a valvetrain type of sound on startup and only startup, I would first think maybe a timing chain tensioner was leaking pressure. If it does it all the time the engine is running at specific rpms and load, I would get a little more worried.

Make sure you don't have any of your DTCs disabled that would be related to cam sensors, cam timing, etc.. That way if its related to the VTC it might show a code. I've seen really noisy VTC gears in a DE before.

Does it do it more or less when cold or hot?

If we cannot Internet diagnose it, I would run it by a performance shop that is known for engine work and see if they will come out and listen to it. I would hate to make you paranoid over nothing... But it's just that if there is a serious issue, it's so much better to just stop before something actually lets go and takes out a bunch of expensive parts with it.

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