Rattle noise when engine is first started, until warm up.

reader4value

My 2002 Saturn SL1 seems to have a rattling noise when I first start it up. At first I thought it might be the air conditioner compressor, but it continued when I turned the air conditioner off. Now I am wondering if it might be related to my fan motor, for the heater AC. When I turn it off, the rattling noise seems to go away, but not always, especially when first starting the vehicle.

Any helpful information I would be grateful for.

Mr_Shiftright

If it's a 4 cylinder car, it might be your timing chain--that's worth having checked out by a professional "ear". You could also have lifter noise. The best way to isolate these noises is to buy a mechanic's stethoscope (pretty cheap) and carefully probe the engine when it's making the noise. The metal rod of the 'scope will amplify and locate the noise. It could also be as simple as a catalytic converter shield being loose.