When I start my engine it makes a very rough noise like it's about to give out but it never stalls or jerks. If I put it in idle the noise goes away, but when it's in either drive or reverse the noise comes back and continues until I either exceed 15 mph or when the engine warms up. Any advice would be helpful. Thanks.

Change the oil and filter and use a better quality oil
could be tappets


if it is an auto= oil and filter change

Oil change and upgrade with new filter was the first thing I did. The problem is still occurring on a regular basis.

is the sound like this one on you tube or a knock

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9e4I9w8cgdo

seach for engine knock on youtube for diffferent sounds

other owners do an engine oil flush with kero %mixed in with oil

or remove tappets and clean

new tappets

I also get a similar noise to what you described. I videoed it and put it on youtube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rdy6wSPfqvc

Noise seems to be coming from the side of the engine closest to the camera.

For the first 30 sec the car is idling in neutral, then i put it in reverse (makes same noise in Drive). You can here the noise loudest at 1000rpm, and it disappears above 1500-2000 rpm. Sounds similar to the tappets videos, but im no expert. Any advice would be appreciated.

Is there any info on the net regarding how to clean tappets?

I'm getting a transmission + shocks service on tuesday so ill ask about it there.

yes tappets
tappet cleaning

cleaning them with an engine
flush product of the shelf or
a 10 % kero mix in oil

removing the tappets
take inlet manifold off
undo rocker covers
rocker shfts off
replace faulty tappets

auto sevice once a year or 40 000 km oil and filter if the box has one
mitsubishi used an internal filter in one of its boxes \
only to be replaced with a rebuild

mitsubishi brand oil is best