metal grinding noise on cold start up?

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Old Nov 14, 2012 | 10:27 AM
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metal grinding noise on cold start up?

This happened to me a couple of times. On random cold startups I would hear grinding noises for a split second and then its gone.
Old Nov 14, 2012 | 10:29 AM
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Same here...happened a few times this week and last...sounds almost like it would if you were to try to start the car when its already on

Don't know what it is
Old Nov 14, 2012 | 10:32 AM
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Yea I thought it was like the starter or something going bad.
Old Nov 14, 2012 | 10:38 AM
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me too! me and my wife were in the car and we just looked at each other like "uh oh", just the one time earlier this week (actually on the way to pick up BO2). Haven't heard it since...
Old Nov 14, 2012 | 10:40 AM
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See if you can catch it on video.
Old Nov 14, 2012 | 11:00 AM
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had this happen to me also, very random. only experienced it twice, once a few years back and then another time maybe a year ago, scared me a little bit. havent heard it since, would be kinda ironic if it happens today when i leave for work
Old Nov 14, 2012 | 11:03 AM
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Check your oil level.

My car sat unused for 4 days, my oil was at low level. When I started it it sounded like a gremlin was inside the engine with a wrench banging and forth on the inside. I think it means the oil has drained down to the pan and the engine is oil starved. It lasted less the 2 seconds (of horror!) and faded away. I've been using the car every day (and topped off with oil) and the sound hasn't come back.

No doubt the sounds are "bad" but since load is low and it lasts for a short time then hopefully wear is low.
Old Nov 14, 2012 | 11:06 AM
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Originally Posted by chimchimm5
Check your oil level.

My car sat unused for 4 days, my oil was at low level. When I started it it sounded like a gremlin was inside the engine with a wrench banging and forth on the inside. I think it means the oil has drained down to the pan and the engine is oil starved. It lasted less the 2 seconds (of horror!) and faded away. I've been using the car every day (and topped off with oil) and the sound hasn't come back.

No doubt the sounds are "bad" but since load is low and it lasts for a short time then hopefully wear is low.
That would be my first guess also. Cold weather means harder starts. The fact that it goes away right away kind of sounds like oil flow to me too.
Old Nov 14, 2012 | 11:06 AM
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Originally Posted by LoidBanks
had this happen to me also, very random. only experienced it twice, once a few years back and then another time maybe a year ago, scared me a little bit. havent heard it since, would be kinda ironic if it happens today when i leave for work
That's what i thought when I read this thread. I was like, "Weird...me too!". I'm at about 2k from my last oil change. I thought since it was like 40 degrees outside it was just a super slow cold start.
Old Nov 14, 2012 | 11:22 AM
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Originally Posted by chimchimm5
Check your oil level.

My car sat unused for 4 days, my oil was at low level. When I started it it sounded like a gremlin was inside the engine with a wrench banging and forth on the inside. I think it means the oil has drained down to the pan and the engine is oil starved. It lasted less the 2 seconds (of horror!) and faded away. I've been using the car every day (and topped off with oil) and the sound hasn't come back.

No doubt the sounds are "bad" but since load is low and it lasts for a short time then hopefully wear is low.
Did these gremlins sound like rod knock?
Old Nov 14, 2012 | 11:36 AM
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Originally Posted by Brfatal
Did these gremlins sound like rod knock?
That or piston slap... I'm not sure of the difference. I'm still pretty concerned. I hope it's just the belt tensioner.

Last edited by chimchimm5; Nov 14, 2012 at 11:44 AM.
Old Nov 14, 2012 | 11:47 AM
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Mine sounded similar to this guys although his went away faster.

FF to 1:10

Old Nov 14, 2012 | 12:35 PM
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Originally Posted by chimchimm5
That or piston slap... I'm not sure of the difference. I'm still pretty concerned. I hope it's just the belt tensioner.
I ask because on my new engine I had this issue. It was rod knock on start up until the oil pressure built. My engine is currently torn down because of it.
Old Nov 14, 2012 | 12:37 PM
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Originally Posted by chimchimm5
Mine sounded similar to this guys although his went away faster.

FF to 1:10

Old Nov 14, 2012 | 01:04 PM
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nope its just as slug said, its like you turn the key when the car is already on. That screeching sound



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