John_PWH

It's not lifter noise. All FI cars I have seen have it (cheap or expensive). It is simply a matter of the ignition computer modifying the timing and firing the injectors for maximum fuel flow.

Since the incoming air is cold, fuel will not atomize as well as it would with warm air. To compensate for this, the fuel mixture is enrichened. The atomization rate is still reduced, but since there is more fuel, enough atomizes to allow the engine to start and run smoothly. In carbureted engines, this is accomplished with a choke. In TBI engines, a cold-start injector is sometimes used. In MPFI engines, the injectors are fired harder. The computer also modifies the timing (as it often does for other reasons).

Try not to let is annoy you. Marvel at the sophistication of the system that is overcoming the physical difficulties of igniting gasoline with freezing air. Look on the bright side--the engine is running! Turn on the radio. Turn up the seat heaters. The heat will be cranking any second now......

I'm not diminishing your complaint. Just pointing out that all cars have the noise, so it might not be effective to complain about it.....

Bob,

Thanks for the info. BMW must go a step further in sound proofing :-)

It's not lifter noise. All FI cars I have seen have it (cheap or expensive). It is simply a matter of the ignition computer modifying the timing and firing the injectors for maximum fuel flow.

Since the incoming air is cold, fuel will not atomize as well as it would with warm air. To compensate for this, the fuel mixture is enrichened. The atomization rate is still reduced, but since there is more fuel, enough atomizes to allow the engine to start and run smoothly. In carbureted engines, this is accomplished with a choke. In TBI engines, a cold-start injector is sometimes used. In MPFI engines, the injectors are fired harder. The computer also modifies the timing (as it often does for other reasons).

Try not to let is annoy you. Marvel at the sophistication of the system that is overcoming the physical difficulties of igniting gasoline with freezing air. Look on the bright side--the engine is running! Turn on the radio. Turn up the seat heaters. The heat will be cranking any second now......

I'm not diminishing your complaint. Just pointing out that all cars have the noise, so it might not be effective to complain about it.....

I wonder if others have noticed cold engine start-up noises that sound like lifter pinging.

First noticed at 11,000 miles, the dealer identified it as cold fuel injectors at start-up.

It was really noticable last winter, but less so in the SC summer.

Thanks,

JOhn_PWH