Many years ago I purchased a new Ford Contour SVT. It was quick and fun to drive. It did have a problem. When the engine was cold, and you started the engine, it would immediately jump to over 2000RPM. The result was a short period of rod knock until the oil pressure got going. It went back to the dealer, had factor reps, but never was fixed.
I sold the car in a few months. I have been in the auto service business for many years and believed the noise was unhealthy.

I have now purchased a 1999 Dodge Stratus with 62KM. The mileage is accurate. A Florida Snowbird who drove the car for only four months of the year owned the car.
The car has the 2.5L V6. On a cold start the engine instantly revs to over 2000RPM for a few seconds, and knocks for that period of time. It is not a defective backflow valve in the oil filter. I could go to a pre-oiler, but its too expensive.
Does anyone else have this problem? Solution?

 

Do those cars have hydraulic tappets/lash adjusters? My car did this, but its only because of clogged lash adjusters. They were designed to eliminate noise when the car got older by adjuster for valve clearances. I recently popped all mine out and cleaned then up, and its silent again.

If your engine doesnt have them, then I have no idea what the problem is.

 

Not a valve noise. Definately a rod knock. I Live in FL and dont need the cold start feature. I am looking into the idle speed motor to see if I can defeat this feature.

 

I disconnected the plug on the Idle Air Control Motor. The engine starts without racing, AND WITHOUT KNOCKING. I know this control motor compensates for temperature, power steering load, AC etc. I have not noticed any substancial diference in the way the car idles, except for about 200 RPM when the AC is on.