Cold weather knocking during start ups.

[wheelhaus]

Originally Posted by JDMenrique

Firstly, Im going to apologize for not using the search function. Im on my phone and it just won't let me.

Kinda off topic, but you can get around the mobile phone search issue by clicking the search button until it's window pops up, and click on "advanced search" to open the search page.
/offtopic

Ayways, I doubt this is knock if the engine is cold, because knock (ping, etc) is actually preignition, where the mixture is ignited prematurely from the compression causing the fuel mixture to hot spot and ignite before the spark hits. This is far far less likely when things are cold, but not impossible.

More realistically, for those mentioning stumbling and hiccups, the theories of condensation or something with the fuel delivery system, oil delivery, or air metering in the intake, all make sense because things are way outside the normal operating temps. Maybe try a full tank from a different station just to rule out winter-mix fuel quality?

I've retired the idea of letting the engine idle to warm up when it's cold. I prefer to start up, idle for 10-15 sec to get the oil flowing, and get moving immediately but drive very easy/low RPM until the temp needle hits the lowest cold mark, then drive normal at low rpm until it's at temp. I've come to understand this gets the oil flowing where it needs to be and warms things up more quickly.

Also I'm hearing two different complaints; engine noise/click/tick, and actual hesitation/hiccup. Please be clear when describing your issues. I have noticed some idle clicking, more so when it's cold, but from all the boxers I've owned, I haven't heard anything unusual thus far. This thread is making me curious and I'll pay closer attention to see if I notice anything abnormal.

[whtchocla7e]

I picked up my car from the dealership this morning. Nothing was fixed, of course. At least they have communicated with Toyota HQ in CA. Toyota didn't want my car torn apart at this time and they would like to see my video. They're supposed to get back to me.

From what the guy told me, to him it sounds like a sticking valve.

I support the theory that something is sticking because, at least in my case, this only seems to happen when I start the car after an extended period of time in lowish temperatures. So, the components that settle down show more resistance to being moved again, right? Especially in sub-zero temperatures.

I will post my video for you guys later this week.

Four days without my car I felt like a lost child when I got it back this morning. The brakes were heavy, the clutch felt heavy, the steering wouldn't loosen up, I had no power, my tmps light was off..... Looks like they reset the ECU to clear the tmps light.......

[blackraven1425]

Since picking up my car, I was able to both get a better listen myself and have a more mechanically-inclined friend listen for it. I get a miss or three every startup when the engine is cold. He's of the opinion it's rather mild for a miss.

[Frostyman]

Mine does it. I just tap the gas and it stops.

[sdm822]

Has anyone gotten further in diagnosing this issue? Happened to my car earlier this week. I haven't had it come back though. No CEL either.

I wonder if it's related to the DI seals people have been experiencing issues with?

[whtchocla7e]

I had one of my videos showing this issue sent to Toyota earlier this year. Haven't heard back yet..

A Toyota rep had a chance to cold-start my car and supposedly didn't hear any sounds but I'm sure he felt something through the chassis... Based on the feedback I got, my car behaves like other FR-Ses...

[nemanja]

Here is what mine does, 9K miles, 2013
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gK0AhRwtWks"]Frs rough cold idle - YouTube[/ame]

Not sure what to do about it. Any advice?

[kinda5150]

i don't think anything will come of this. i imagine most of us have the same thing happening. i relate it to the hard shifting 1-2 gears in cold weather. i'm not worried about it.

[cdrazic93]

This sounds like a normal cold start for a boxer motor. My old 'prezza did the same thing. Sounded like oil starvation, but as soon as it got up to operating temp it was fine.

[whtchocla7e]

I was pretty active in this thread last year complaining about the knocking and guess what... so far no loud knocking this year in cold temps. It's not as pronounced as it used to be. I didn't do anything except follow the routine maintenance and replace the air filter in the summer.

[chaoskaze]

Is it normal for us to feel the engine shake inside the car?... At idle my car feel like it punched something inside....it's weird & makes me worry.