The dealer had installed a noise cover but it didn't help. What I called a "valvetrain rattle" was still loud and present when I got it back last week. I drove the car for a few days and parked it Friday night. I got up Saturday morning and the engine cranked over for about 20 seconds before it finally started.

I went out Sunday morning and fired her up with no more engine noise. Same thing today.

I'm glad it's fine now but WTF?

 

I've not heard of the noise cover, can you describe? Cranking for 20 sec to start....very odd

 

most likely not the case, but reminds me a story my uncle told of how a squirrel got under the hood of his old truck and was up near the valve covers, when he went to crank it up, he cranked and cranked, but sounded like something was blocking the opening on the air-cleaner. He cranked one more time, it started so he drove to the store, when he was getting out of his truck at the store he kept hearing scratching, so he opened the hood and noticed the air cleaner just rocking away. he took off the wing-nut, and popped the cover. when he did a scared ****less squirrel jumped out at him. Apparently he sucked the little guy through the funnel like opening on the side of tha air-cleaner and he got stuck between the inlet and filter.

 

I have not seen/looked for the cover. I do have the work order some where in my mess of an office sine our move.

I spoke with the service mgr and we have both concluded we think there was a bit of dirt in the fuel line or direct injection unit that caused the noise/hard start.

All I know is this car is going away before months end.

 

the crank for 20sec.....isn't that the cam self-alignment? Seems to trigger something I read a while back.