ordinary engine
 

I have a 2009 HHR and it is a 2.4L engine and off and on for several months when I start the engine usually on a chilly morning it sounds like a diesel starting up. Can someone tell me if it is the fuel I am using or possible something else. I am 69 and want to keep my car running like a top. Please give input. Thanks.

Welcome to the site!
Member 76,000!!!! Yeah!!
This could be the timing chain tensioner or the chain and chain guides.
It could be a dirty throttle body.
Let's see if there are any check engine light codes, stop by your local parts palace and have them pull any codes stored in the computer.
Post them up here before you start changing parts and throwing money at it!
Also how old is the oil and what weight oil are you using?

Oldblue / Startup sounds like a diesel
 

I change my oil every 3,000 miles and it was just changed last week, although I had been letting my daughter use my car to go back and forth to work, she neglected to let me know what the mileage was and it went to almost 5,000 miles. Would this make a difference. Also, my car has very low mileage for being a 2009. It only has 48, 660 miles on it right now. I don't do a lot of driving only to the important places like work, or shopping. When I am off work it isn't driven. One other thing I was concerned about that might have an impact on the vehicle is that back in May of this year I had an bump to the front of the car from another vehicle and noticed that after this situation it started sounding like it does when I start it up. It doesn't happen every time I start it, that is why I thought it could have been the fuel I was using. On getting this checked out about the electrical codes on the vehicle does that, or will that cost me? I am on limited funds and have to watch my nickles and dimes these days. lol Thanks so much for your input. I sure appreciate it.

A place like AutoZone does not charge for code reading. Please write them down if their are any they will show P000.
Based on the bump and that being the start of your issues it could be a broken panel pushed in enough to touch the alt drive belt or the belt tensioner is damaged

Running it to 5000 miles between the oil changes should not cause a problem, and it's very doubtful that gas would be an issue either.

How hard was the bump to the front of the car? Was there any damage to the bumper or grill/headlights/fenders?

timing belt tensioner. the replacement has a better design which gets more oil to the chain.

Apparently he either fixed it or well he hasn't been back since October!

Oh, he came back and logged on in Nov. Just didn't bother to do any follow up on his issue.