02’ R/T, 6 cyl, 3.0L – 68,000 miles - stock. When I crank it up in the mornings, often times there is a squealing/growling noise that passes through the exhaust system from the exhaust manifold to the cat. converter, then out of the muffler. You can actually hear/feel the noise as it progresses from its origination point at the front of the car to the muffler. The noise lasts 4 - 8 seconds. The noise usually happens when the car has been sitting in the cold all night, but has been know to make the noise after it sits for an hour or less on a cold day. I was due to change the spark plugs at 60,000. Could the old plugs have something to do with this, could it be a faulty cat. converter, or could it be something else? Thanks!

 

im not gonna lie.. this is probably wrong but it could be weak lifters? and over night the oil is draining out of them?

 

Does it do this during warm days, in the summer. Mine usually does it just during the cold winters.

 

i dont drive the stratus in the winter, but i do start it every so often and let the fluids move around a bit, and ive noticed that it makes some noises on startup when its below 40F or so. i have about 65,000 miles, everything is original, except for the mounts, fluids, exhaust, and cai.

 

Yep don't drive mine either during the witer, start it up about twice a week though.

 

i drive mine year around ...and it makes no noises ..

 

Thanks for the posts. I am not sure about the lifters; I may run that by my mechanic friend. It has only begun making the noise over the recent winter months this year, but I live in Va. and we have had some mild winters. It makes the noises in 40 to 55 degree temps too. I drive it everyday. It does not sit unmoved for long periods of time. However, I have noticed that the car is actually more prone to make the noise once it is warm (like after driving it to the store, then cutting it off, and cranking it back up a few minutes later) than when I crank it cold in the mornings. Like I said, everything is factory, but it is due for plugs, wires and dist. cap. Please keep the ideas coming. Thanks in advance.