Cold start engine tick.

[Mudpupy]

I have a 2019 GT1, purchased used with 7950 miles, from day one it has a cold start engine tick that goes away about 20 seconds after starting. Don't know if its a lifter issue or maybe normal for the direct injection units but it goes away quickly like it had to build oil pressure. Has anyone else experienced this issue?

 

[Spaceme17]

That is the just the high pressure fuel pump for the direct injection. Almost all DI engines sound like this. Normal.

 

[Aarvix]

I too thought it was lifters and took it to the dealer to diagnose. They kept it overnight and the service manager showed me a video of a cold start the next morning. The mechanic starts the car and it makes it's usual CLACK CLACK CLACK noise, then he unplugs the high pressure fuel pump electrical connector (with the car running) and the noise immediately goes away. It died a few seconds later from lack of fuel, but the noise went away before the engine shut off.

It seems to be the solenoid in the pump making that loud noise for 20-60 seconds, and some seem to be louder than others. Once it gets warmed up/full/whatever the noise is gone and the typical soft ticking of all DI engines is all that's left.

It's annoying but normal.

PS: don't try this at home, it will throw a code.

 

[MerlintheMad]

I guess I hear it; I don't really pay attention to the startup noises, because I always let my engine idle until the RPMs drop (takes about forty seconds).

 

[Mudpupy]

Thanks guy's for the input, that's what I thought it was.
Taking it in for my 12k oil change and was going to have them investigate but sounds like no need to bother. Wanted to make sure before I put my JB4 unit on. Drive em like you stole them. Be safe and enjoy!!!

 

[Sybaritic]

Is the high pressure fuel pump a secondary unit in the engine bay (primary unit I'm guessing is within the fuel tank)? The sound is coming strictly from the engine bay, and it can get loud!

 

[NS_Stinger]

As others have said it's the high pressure fuel pump. To get rid of the noise all you have to do is just tap the throttle and the noise immediately goes away. You don't need a big rev or anything just a little tap, I do it at every start up so I don't have to listen to it.

 

[Aarvix]

Yes it's in the engine bay, driver side near the firewall (has a foam cover on it).

Tapping the throttle does not alleviate the sound for me, but HOLDING the RPMs a little higher does help.

 

[Spaceme17]

Is the high pressure fuel pump a secondary unit in the engine bay (primary unit I'm guessing is within the fuel tank)? The sound is coming strictly from the engine bay, and it can get loud!

Yes. There is a low pressure pump which delivers fuel to the high pressure pump.

All DI engines are like this. Not sure why they make that tapping sound. The high fuel pressure is to overcome the pressure in the cylinders on the compression stroke.

 

[Cyndi-n-Cincy]

I have a 2019 GT1, purchased used with 7950 miles, from day one it has a cold start engine tick that goes away about 20 seconds after starting. Don't know if its a lifter issue or maybe normal for the direct injection units but it goes away quickly like it had to build oil pressure. Has anyone else experienced this issue?

I didn’t like that cold start ticking either, I’ve complained about it since I got my car. I had ask for full synthetic oil changes since the first oil change at the dealership. I had asked why does my next oil change sticker read synthetic B, I want full synthetic. I have been told that’s what I got. This last oil change I said (at the same dealership) again to make sure they only use full synthetic that’s what I pay for. Low and behold my Stinger does not have a cold start tick any longer.

 

[G-67869]

I have a 2019 GT1, purchased used with 7950 miles, from day one it has a cold start engine tick that goes away about 20 seconds after starting. Don't know if its a lifter issue or maybe normal for the direct injection units but it goes away quickly like it had to build oil pressure. Has anyone else experienced this issue?

Mine sounds exactly the same. Totally normal

 

[G-623869]

That is the just the high pressure fuel pump for the direct injection. Almost all DI engines sound like this. Normal.

Not all GDI sounds like that. I have four vehicles with GDI, but non sounds like that. Just KIA. So annoying!