After a thorough search of similar threads, I have to put this out there to all of you. My 2005 Limited coupe sat in the garage for about 10 days while we were on vacation. I went out to start it yesterday and and it started with an almighty clatter and an immediate check engine light. I shut it off and after about 10 seconds restarted it with much the same effect, but this time I let it run and opened the hood to see if I could determine what the heck was going on. As farnas i could tell without a stethescope, the racket was coming from the top front of the engine, passenger's side. As it ran it began to quiet down and eventually stopped clattering. This leads me to believe that there was an oil starvation issue in the valve train due to its draining to the bottom mend while sitting for an extended time. However, 10 days isn't a long time. The Check Engine light went out after a couple of restarts and no further problems have cropped up since. Question - has anyone else had a similar experience? Does this engine have a timing chain life expectancy that I'm missing (this engine has just under 100,000 miles and has been scrupulously maintained). I can find no info from the manufacturer regarding timing chain service. The only other cause that I can think of is an injector going bad, but I can't imagine a little injector making the loud clatter I heard yesterday. Your input will be appreciated.

 

One last tidbit of info - I am the original owner so I know it's service history well.

 

Saw a post here yesterday or the day before from someone having clutch problems at 275,000 miles, he didn't mention ever doing any other maintenance.

I have this same clatter problem with my old 1989 Ford Probe, and that is a well documented issue with the Mazda hydraulic lifters not holding pressure, probably the same thing ......
( I kinda doubt the noise would go away if it were a timing chain problem )

 

Kinda what I was thinking too. First time this has occurred in the eight years ive owned the car so it took me a bit by surprise, to say the least. (BTW, mine is an auto.)

Thanks.

 

Too bad the code wasn't stored.

When I worked in the computer industry, that code and it's time and date would be stored until a tech cleared it.

 

I store my car in the winter and I start it every month or so and I have never heard this but the cars have only a quarter of your mileage.

I guess its the oil leaking down, as to the chain I cannot find a replacement time frame. At 100,000 miles I'd do it though. It may not break but if it slips enough it can do damage as I guess these are interference engines.

Crossfire maintenance schedule.

 

I had the same noise and check engine light, started up the engine and shut it off about 3 times and the noise sounded like 20 pigmy's with sledge hammers in the top end. I started the engine back up and same noise this was when the car was under warranty so I reved the engine and the noise stopped. I took it to the dealer and they could not find anything wrong and surmised that carbon depsoit had come loose in the valve train. The car then had only 4000 miles and now 6 years later it only has 14,000 but with an occasional short trip at 120-130mph I have not had this problem again.