When cold my 02 GT makes something of a light knocking/rattling under very light load, right at the transition between overrun and driving the back wheels. I know the engine is the source of the noise, not the trans or clutch. It goes away after a minute or two of driving, depending on the engine temperature. It sounds like a light small-end rod knock or possibly a piston slap but it's quite metallic.
I took it to Ford and they returned the car a day later having reprogrammed the PCM and attaching a copy of a Ford TSB #15934, to the workorder. It reads:
"15934: Mustang - Cold Engine light ticking/rattle noise Some 2001-2002 Mustang GT and Bullitt with the TR3650 manual transmission may exhibit a light ticking/rattle noise while driving after a cold engine start. The noise will typically occur between 2200 and 3500RPM under light throttle (1/8 to 1/4 open) while driving. The noise may last a few minutes (depending on temperature). The condition is due to the combination of the light load operation noted above, and the normal piston to cylinder wall clearance present in a cold engine. To service, verify condition and {reprogram PCM...}"
This describes my car to an absolute 'T', right down to the RPM range where it typically occurs (though I've heard it as low as 1500RPM...)
Has anyone else gotten the same report or been referenced to the same TSB? Anything told to you other than, basically, "they all do that...it's normal."?
Only mods: K&N FPIK-II & March UDPs.
-- Mike