What's that noise?

[Traian]

Okay, so I sold my bike meaning I have a couple hundred big ones to fix up the little things bugging me since the beginning of winter. First thing is this:

A weird rattling noise, that sounds sort of like plastic gears whirring, and only occurs on dead cold startups. i.e only after I leave the car overnight (>8h). As soon as the temp gets out of the blue (so after about 2 min of driving), the noise stops. Also, the volume goes up and down with engine speed, so it will quiet down as the car shifts through the gears, and is noisiest in 1st. No effect on performance whatsoever.

Weird, no? It's a pretty vague explanation, but that's all the details I have.

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

coming from?

That's the most important part.

We would be able to help a little more with that bit of information

[Traian]

Arr, that's a darn good question, the problem is, the rattle is very quiet at idle, and, worse yet, althought it sounds like it's coming from the engine bay, it's more perceptible from inside the cabin. I will let you know if I come up with something more detailed tomorrow.

[632 Regal]

you should be able to rev the engine from under the hood, id guess either real thick motor oil or the power steering system needs a flush and fill.

[Traian]

Well that's interesting that you mention that, because the PS fluid was veeery low, in fact it was leaking around the cap. I've since topped it up and simply tightened the cap more, and well there she is. Right about the throttle thing, I should try that...