Engine Tapping Noise ???

[smartysmitten]

My new Smart (600 miles) has a tapping noise after the engine has come up to normal driving temp.
When you stop at a red light and the motor is at idle, the tapping is loud enough that my wife and I both hear it

Any one else have this noise?

Any tech's have ideas?

The noise is making us worry

[Big Panda]

there's another thread on this as well......can't remember who started it. had lots of opinions and one tech gave his 'expert' opinion. don't know if anything had been definitely decided.

[smartysmitten]

Any ideas where that thread is?

[Fredvon4]

"Farnsworth"* is on day five and 290 miles...

Last two days I have noticed this too at a stop and radio off... does not follow engine RPM and is a weird rhythm that gets faster as the motor idles down

This weekend I an going to experiment and track it down

Else I will make an appointment with smart Tech later in the month

I hate to think it is valve tap or rod knock but tend to think it is not that because light throttle RPM change does not make the tapping faster or slower...really strange

* Blue/Black Passion all options

[FWOIII]

It is the fuel purge valve.....normal, do not worry.

[randyzimmer]

Originally Posted by Fredvon4

"Farnsworth"* is on day five and 290 miles...

* Blue/Black Passion all options

Didn't know you got it,
Congrats.
rz

[Fredvon4]

Damned noisy purge valve...coo.....l should not be hard to verify with my trusty stethoscope...grin

Thanks

[a2jack]

Normal around 500 miles, comes and goes as the miles pile up.
We haven't heard it in a long time now,(Ode reads just under 8k).

Probably just a Mitsu quirk. (Dealer said same...purge valve?)

Fred, Glad you got your car. The only problem I find with ours is that my DD is a 5sp stick, the Subie is 5spd auto, and when I drive the Smart I sometimes forget which lever to pull, when.

A2jack.

[a2jack]

Here, try this. tat, tat, tat sound

[smartysmitten]

Spoke with dealership and was told to drive it for week
or two

No signs of trouble but noise and check engine light still on!!!!!