hi, got a 55 plate 85 hp diesl van (FWD) and on cold startup it rattles like a whotsit.
Seems down on power
when driving it still sounds tappety until up past 40mph
once warm it sounds ok, idles ok etc

oil is ok, fuel filter is still ok

anyone had similar issues?

Cheers

My father has an 05 plate and that always rattles like a bag of spanners on start up!

Would guess dual mass flywheel.some transits have some don't. Run engine at about 2500 rpm hold foot on clutch pedal switch off engine if you get a vibration though pedal that's it. Or remove starter motor see if its full of swarf and clutch dust etc to confirm.

I was led to believe that the vast majority of diesel engine noise is from the fuel pump, not the combustion cycle?

Something definitely wrong there...the old transits normally don't stop rattling until you turn the engine off

Pump timing might be out, or more likely your injectors could do with a good clean.

[Edited on 28/9/12 by MikeRJ]

cheers folks,
Injector cleaning, is this an easy DIY job?

we have a 10 plate tdci rattles like a ba$tard when cold ford say its ok. also so had a tddi rattled from cold that had to have a timing chain at 40k miles but also had poor starting you had to turn it over 3 to 4 time before it would properly.

I look after a few of these 'dura torque' transits, they are used as on site vehicles and they all have 100k plus on them and run all day at low speed, stopping and starting. They have hydraulic cam followers and sound horrible on start up, your oil pressure could be a bit low, try changing the oil and filter, also try a good flushing agent to help clear the oilways. hope this helps.

ok, will try that, thanks