My car makes a sluggish noise in the morning. what is that all about?

Question

When I first get up and pull my car out of the garage, it starts up, but with a cluggy, sluggish sound. It doesn't sound like an ignition problem, but more of an exhaust problem. The exhaust pipe kind of shakes and sputters during this process. It has broken down once already because the fuel pump went out. That cost half a grand to fix but it still makes those same noises as it did before in the morning. Its okay for the rest of the day, but it just seems like its initial start up is troublesome. What gives? Will a simple oil change fix this or does it need more?

Answer 1

I think is your spark plug which fires the spark at the wrong time causing it to shake cause it mis fire. But i'm not really sure cause I can't see it. Good luck!

Answer 2

First, a simple oil change does not solve any problem, unless the problem is that you have no oil -- in which case you have larger problems. Oil changes merely *prevent* problems.

As for the noise: you say it sounds like an exhaust problem, and once the car warms up the problem goes away. A first guess for me might be that somewhere an exhaust fitting is loose; when cold, there is a gap that allows unmuffled gases to escape (if you have a 4-cylinder this will be a raspy noise, an 8-cylinder will produce a chuggy noise, and a 6-cylinder something in between) and vibrate the exhaust pipe. As the car warms up, the pipe expands and the gap closes -- and the noise (and shaking) go away. If it were me, I'd first look at the connection between the exhaust header and the pipe -- perhaps the rubber donut that bridges the gap between has begun to deteriorate somewhat.

However, this is a *guess*, and you're better off bringing it to a mechanic. When you do, don't "describe" the noise, and don't tell them what you think is wrong: leave the car overnight, with instructions that the sound only occurs when it is started after sitting overnight. They'll start the car in the morning, make their best guess, and tell you what they'll do to fix it and how much it will cost.

Pick up the car, drive it to a different mechanic, and repeat the process (if they give you a hard time about leaving, walk away anyway -- you're entitled to get estimates) until you have three. If you have three different explanations for the problem...well, I don't know what to tell you at that point. Chances are, however, that you will have two (or even all three) mechanics telling you it is the same thing, and now all you need to do it pick a mechanic to fix it.

Answer 3

go to your mechanic and explain to him exactly what your hear, if you make suggestions to what you think the problem is, chances are that's the only thing they will check and that might not be the problem. let them figure out whats wrong with it. this only goes for a mechanic you trust and won't try to cheat you. like you need an oil-change every 3 months or 3000 miles, your needs a tune-up every season too. other liquids the car carries need to checked and sometimes changed as well. it will help the car run to its best ability.

Answer 4

change the oil (every 3000 miles). Im not sure if its possible, but maybe a fuel injector is sticking and partialy hydrolocking one cylinder. Try running some fuel injector cleaner through it too.

Answer 5

You should replace spark plugs and wires

Answer 6

A mechanic can fix it.