Weird grinding-ish noise on cold start up

[Bogus]

I noticed sometimes when i cold start my car theres this weird grinding kind of noise when it turns over. It doesnt happen every time.

I dont really know how else to describe it since ive never heard anything like it before.

Anybody else experience a weird noise when cold starting?

 

[Chevrolet Customer Care]

I noticed sometimes when i cold start my car theres this weird grinding kind of noise when it turns over. It doesnt happen every time.

I dont really know how else to describe it since ive never heard anything like it before.

Anybody else experience a weird noise when cold starting?

I certainly understand your concern regarding this issue. If you're not able to get this repaired, a GM Certified Tech should be able to take care of this concern. There is a strong chance that it may be covered under warranty. Please keep me informed how the service appointment goes.

Matt (Assisting Vanessa)

GM Customer Service

 

[Bogus]

I certainly understand your concern regarding this issue. If you're not able to get this repaired, a GM Certified Tech should be able to take care of this concern. There is a strong chance that it may be covered under warranty. Please keep me informed how the service appointment goes.

Matt (Assisting Vanessa)

GM Customer Service

I'll keep an eye on the car and if the problem gets worse I'll take it into my local dealer to have them look at it

It doesn't happen every time. But when it does it's weird. And I cannot recreate it by shutting the engine off and restarting. It only happens once.

And thank you for the response I'll keep you posted here.

 

[SuperFudd]

If you are at least a little mechanically inclined you might want to make sure the starter mounting bolts aren't loose.

 

[Bogus]

If you are at least a little mechanically inclined you might want to make sure the starter mounting bolts aren't loose.

good idea.

 

[BlackRaccoon]

This new GM Ecotec engines come with timming chains instead of the typical timming belt found on most of the 4 cyl. engines, the noise is no more than the chain dry, once it gets lubes by the oil pressure building up inside the engine it goes away, thats why you cannot get it to mimic the noise cuz it will take a while for the oil to drip all the way off the chain and go back to the crankcase. So its nothing to worry about.

 

[d.p]

its either the timing chain or your clutch is lightly chattering...

 

[Bogus]

This new GM Ecotec engines come with timming chains instead of the typical timming belt found on most of the 4 cyl. engines, the noise is no more than the chain dry, once it gets lubes by the oil pressure building up inside the engine it goes away, thats why you cannot get it to mimic the noise cuz it will take a while for the oil to drip all the way off the chain and go back to the crankcase. So its nothing to worry about.

I hope so! That's good to know!

its either the timing chain or your clutch is lightly chattering...

I have the auto trans.

 

[hmae37]

I'm having the same issue!!! I have taken it to the dealer 3 times and the most recent they had it three days and couldn't recreate it. I got my Sonic home and 30 mins later, used the remote start and sure enough there it was! I'm livid!! It's more like a loud rattle right as it turns over towards the engine of the car. Not rear. Just for a brief second. Only when starting after it hasn't been ran/driven for 30-45 mins or more. It doesn't happen twice in a row either. It's not the "ticking" as the dealer calls it from the chains, it's in addition to that. I can start it in the am and it does it, 9 hrs later after I'm off work I remote start it, it does it, then maybe go to the store and spend an hour grocery shopping, come out and remote start and... yep you guessed it, it does it. They said they checked the exhaust pipes and muffler and nothing loose. Which concerns me more, if true. I'm at a loss now. I had a loaner for a few days, which was also a sonic and when remote starting that car at cold start it didn't do it at all and sounded normal. So I know it's something with my sonic. I don't know what else to do either...... I've had the problem for 9 months now. EVERYDAY! Ugh....

 

[Bogus]

That seems pretty frustrating. First thing, don't show your frustration with the service guys or they wont care to help you. I'm always friendly with them and they are happy to do me favors.

I haven't noticed this happening in my car lately, maybe I'm just not noticing it anymore.

 

[TheFallenAngel12]

I dont have any grinding type noises in my sonic. I do however have this Gargeling type noise that seems to be in the rear area that when i first start the car up and let it idle for a few minutes to let it slightly warm up. then i put it in gear and slowly move forward, i get this loud gargeling type noise like water or something swooshing around. doesnt do it all the time tho. but often enough to be noticable. Doesnt seem to be anything serious i wouldnt think but something i figured i would mention. Other than that i dont have anything really negative to say. My 1.8 is doing great for me!

 

[Bogus]

I get that too. It's so weird. Like water swishing somewhere.

 

[Ryanizzle]

I get that too. It's so weird. Like water swishing somewhere.

It's just the car warming up from a cold start, pretty sure all 1.8 sonics (and even most recent cars) make the same noise. It always goes away after a 30-second idle. Shouldn't be anything to worry about.


A random grinding noise from a cold start isn't normal though...sounds like it's not a big problem for you anymore but I'll pay attention to my car too just in case

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

 

[Bogus]

Do you know what is making the swishing noise though? Is it actually water somewhere or some other fluid?

I'll try to pay attention when I start it in the morning, but sometimes I'm more asleep than awake. lol

 

[Leverus]

It's just the car warming up from a cold start, pretty sure all 1.8 sonics (and even most recent cars) make the same noise.

That's news to me. I've never heard anything like it.

 

[Ryanizzle]

I don't know what exactly is making a gargling noise but I always just assumed it's the noise the car makes as it warms up from a cold start. And like I mentioned, it's a consistent noise and I've heard from other cars on a cold start, so it never raised any red flags for me.

But I was reading TheFallen's post in detail just now- if it takes minutes for it to go away, then we're probably hearing different things; the noise I hear should not last longer than 20-30 seconds, and doesn't come back when in gear.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

 

[Bogus]

I'm hearing the same noise as you.

 

[TheFallenAngel12]

Just like to add that i dont hear the gargeling sound when its in park and idleing warming up after a cold start. its after i put it in gear when warmed up and slowly let off the brakes to move forward and start moving. Its like a swooshing of water type sound and it to me sounds like its coming from the rear end area. not in the front. It lasts maybe 30sec's at most once i let off the brake pedal. Like i said, it doesnt seem to cause any probelms from it. just makes a funky sound that makes you wonder, what tha hell is that? you know. But its nice to know im not the only one that hears it. Was just curious as to what it might be. All other cars i have had never did it. Now my brothers old 96 Taurus wagon had metallic brakes that squeeled like a M-F'r after a cold start and first moved. that thing was a terrible Sound.

 

[Leverus]

You guys have the AT right? A stretch but maybe it's something to do with the automatic? Mine's manual and I haven't heard that. I'll try to pay closer attention when leaving for work today to try and hear anything unusual.

 

[Bogus]

Yes we're both automatic.

First I though it was water that got into the drain below the windshield overnight and was draining as I moved. IDK though.