GR86 Mechanical clunk on startup from cold

Bluemanc100

Bluemanc100

Totally Hooked
Jul 4, 2023
711
848
128
I’ve got just over 3,000 miles on the car now and I’ve started to notice a fairly loud clunk from the engine area on startup but only on the initial start from cold..

It sounds like the AC compressor / clutch engaging but it’s louder than any other car I’ve owned..

Has anybody else noticed this?
 
Before you start it up next time try and turn the AC off to see if it makes a difference. I haven't noticed any noises myself.
 
v8s said:
Before you start it up next time try and turn the AC off to see if it makes a difference. I haven't noticed any noises myself.
Click to expand...
Did that and the clunk seemed to disappear which leads me to believe that the compressor is the source of the noise.. It seems to have grown louder in the last couple of weeks.. I’ll drop into the dealer if it persists
 
Bluemanc100 said:
Did that and the clunk seemed to disappear which leads me to believe that the compressor is the source of the noise.. It seems to have grown louder in the last couple of weeks.. I’ll drop into the dealer if it persists
Click to expand...
The a/c clutch cuts in and out regularly when a/c is on - would it be worth looking under the bonnet with it running and watch / listen?
I haven't noticed anything like that (6k miles).
 
FRAJ said:
The a/c clutch cuts in and out regularly when a/c is on - would it be worth looking under the bonnet with it running and watch / listen?
I haven't noticed anything like that (6k miles).
Click to expand...
I'll do that before I consider dropping into the dealer...
 
Recently I have been getting a pretty big clunk on start up too. I am pretty sure it is the a/c clutch kicking in as it has always made a bit of a clunk and the start up clunk sound is very similar. It's just got louder recently.

Car is on about 2300 miles. A/c is permanenly on. Service is due in June. Need to do some testing to confirm.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bluemanc100
rsh1972 said:
Might also be ABS self test, but that's usually when your moving at a few mph.
Click to expand...
On startup today I put the ignition on first and switched the AC off... No clunk , then the noise was heard when I selected AC... I'll monitor it and consider speaking to the dealer if it worsens...
 
  • Like
Reactions: rsh1972 and sim61
Bluemanc100 said:
On startup today I put the ignition on first and switched the AC off... No clunk , then the noise was heard when I selected AC... I'll monitor it and consider speaking to the dealer if it worsens...
Click to expand...
Can you try recording the sound on your phone and upload it?
 
This is a lightweight sports car, without much sound deadening so you do here a lot of noise generally, gearbox, diff noise also and suspension.

It's not a 4 series coupe or similar, but I think that's a good thing.
 
  • Like
Reactions: AWB and Nick
I noticed this too, about 1600 miles, louder than usual clunk on start up. Triggered a mild code brown as it was after a track day.

Side note the aircon is quite noisy on this car, you can really hear the expansion valve gassing. We can;t blame sound deadening for that as its nearly alwasy in teh cabin under the glove box!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bluemanc100
I noticed it for the first time yesterday, but that may be because I was listening out for it. 1 year old car, I think it is aircon related.
 
Bluemanc100 said:
I’ve got just over 3,000 miles on the car now and I’ve started to notice a fairly loud clunk from the engine area on startup but only on the initial start from cold..

It sounds like the AC compressor / clutch engaging but it’s louder than any other car I’ve owned..

Has anybody else noticed this?
Click to expand...
Noticed this on mine, goes away after a few moments. Will check if ac related.
 
Mine does the clunk but very rarely, my old GT86 did the same, no issues in the 8 years I owned it.
 
I’ve disabled the automatic function of the aircon through Techstream, so it only ever comes on when I physically press the buttons - to date (after 18 months and 3k miles) I’ve never heard a clunk. Thanks for the heads up though; I’ll keep an ear out for it when I’m next driving and put the aircon on.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom