TARH2O

It sounds like a small flutter/tick - almost metallic in nature. I goes away after about 1-2 minutes of running. Once the engine is warm it doesn't happen.

Has anyone experienced this before and know what it is?

RCS 2

I had something very similar on my allroad. It had been present since new and was originally told it was normal, but got much worse after the first and second rear main seal repairs. It has disappeared after the third rear main seal repair. The dealership admitted that with the first and second rear main seal repairs, they did not do an engine/transmission alignment that was supposed to have been done (reason they gave for the first two repairs failing). I had always assumed this noise was probably from a heat shield or something that stopped due to things tightening up secondary to metal expansion with the hot engine, but I never did really find out what caused it.

myroad

the car performs and sounds like a sick washing machine when cold.... I wouldn't worry

Belmont

Been discussed here many times before. Per jeffmc: "Cold start program running. Opens the cold start valve for a better mixture until once the exhaust heats and the turbs come up to good ops temp. usually about 30-50 seconds, depending on how cold it is."

All part of the emission control. Doesn't bother me at all, engine warm and running/sounding normal by the time I get to my onramp in the morning.

TARH2O

I figured it was probably something like that but just wanted to check.

TheLex

mine sounds like a low quality blender until it's warmed up a bit

scfan

camshaft overlap ;-)

itacud

Good answer! (Since "programs" don't make noise... I was wondering what exactly it was...)

rcc

What is "camshaft overlap"? (for the less technically gifted)

skidmark

when intake and exhaust valves are open at the same time