Bad sounding start up

[Doubled613]

So this is my first winter with my 2011 Genesis sedan 3.8. It's been freezing here. I started it this morning and it sounded like shit! Worse than any car I've ever had. The engine seems to move at initial start up like a heart being shocked to life lol. Then it makes like a whinning noise and other weird noises. Is this normal?

 

[OneFunGenesis]

Mine always sounds a little rough in the freezing mornings until the oil really gets pumping. This is why I have a good warranty lol

 

[homeofstone]

How many miles on car? Has the engine drive belt been replaced? Does it have the original battery? Have the valve lifters been checked and adjusted if needed. ( the 3.8 v6 in 2011 had solid valve lifters in the engine.)

 

[Doubled613]

I have a 2011 it has 31,000 kns. Very low. Nothing has been done to the engine. It's also -40 with the windchill here in canada so it was a cold ass start. I also find the steering very hard until the car warms up. I know cars make weird noises in extreme cold i was just wondering if this is normal with the 3.8

 

[homeofstone]

I would use 0- 40 weight synthetic oil in your climate. Mobil 1, Pennzoil etc. high quality synthetic oils.

 

[Taxman]

I would use 0- 40 weight synthetic oil in your climate. Mobil 1, Pennzoil etc. high quality synthetic oils.

Exactly what he said!!!

 

[Doubled613]

I use what hyundai reccomends so I guess this is normal? As for the guy above saying have I had all that engine stuff replaced? Why would he say that? Am I missin something?

 

[homeofstone]

I use what hyundai reccomends so I guess this is normal? As for the guy above saying have I had all that engine stuff replaced? Why would he say that? Am I missin something?

An Aged engine drive belt can cause noise until warmed.

An Older, weaker battery can cause the alternator to work hard after starting in cold weather and will make a winning noise when at full charging.

Solid lifters when not adjusted properly can cause ruff running when cold or when hot and will click when cold or when the oil is not circulating well (use 0-40w synthetic to get quick oil circulation on startup)

 

[GenaFishbeck]

Hello Double613 – We'd love to offer our opinion but would need a bit more info to nail down an answer for you (things like: what cold temperature are we talking about? what oil viscosity are you using now? How many miles on your vehicle? Etc)

However, you might be describing an engine that has a weak battery trying to turn it, OR an engine that is not getting enough oil to the top end quickly enough for proper lubrication (due to the oil being too thick at low temperatures – to thick to flow as quickly as it needs to, so as to get to the top end quickly during the start-up of your engine).

With that said, we did look up your vehicle to see what oil your engine asks for -- we found that your engine wants an API SM rated gasoline engine oil, with a viscosity of either 5W-20, 5W-30, or 10W-30. But again - based on what you have said about your apparent cold-start issues – you might want to consider a move to a full synthetic product (provided, of course, that your battery is not the issue).

In fact, Pennzoil Ultra Platinum 5W-20 or 5W-30 with PurePlus Technology both meet your engine’s specs, and is our best, full-synthetic product. The Pennzoil Ultra Platinum 5W-20 and/or 5W-30 products both have excellent performance in extreme temperature conditions, and – in your case -- might help by providing faster low temperature oil flow to your engine’s top end!

Please feel free to private message us back with any additional details about your temperature conditions, your current engine oil type/viscosity, etc and we’d be glad to review and reply! - The Pennzoil Team

 

[homeofstone]

Temperature that OP is talking about is -40 wind chill. Very Very cold. Car has 31000km

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[TEF]

Last January on a trip to Detroit, the temperatures were well below zero and my 3.8 made a lot of valve clatter during the time the engine reached normal operating temperature. As I recall, I went from the motel parking lot onto an interstate highway and the car took 10-15 minutes of a noisy upper valve train until the oil warmed. I typically run 0w-20 year around, so I am not sure if there's a better choice for really cold weather. BTW, following the cold morning, there seems no damage to the engine despite all the noise generated.