So I've had this startup clatter as many others have.My question is does anyone know or have a pic of how the camshafts "park"?I can see that the exhaust cam parks differently than the intake cam,but is that normal?
Some info on what I've done to try and fix the clatter=I have tried the external oil pressure controled tensioner,didn't helpSwitched to Mobil 1 synthetic thinking that would help if it was a dry start issue,no help with clatter.Based upon info I have read on different forums I have on order a exhaust cmp solenoid that hasn't arrived yet so today out of curiousity I pulled valve cover to check and see if timing chain was loose and everything there seems good.All the guides and tensioners seem to be fine.
The only thing I noticed that i'm unsure about is the position of the camshafts at rest.So if someone has a pic or some info on how they are that would be great.Thanks in advance

 

If by "parking" you mean the position of the cam lobes between the intake and exhaust cams, they have to be different or the engine won't run. And the cams will always be in a different position every time the engine stops, unless you're freakishly lucky and it always stops with say the #1 cylinder at TDC.

A little more info on the noise your hearing would be great, and how many miles do you have on your HHR?

A photo really wouldn't do you much good, since the cams in the photo will logically be in a different position than yours.

 

I would think that if the solenoid wasnt positioning the cam correctly, it would set the trouble code. I also dont see how that could be causing the rattling noise on startup.

 

It's a rattle/clatter noise when it first starts,lasts 2-4 seconds or so.Timing chain and tensioning components seem fine.Have been thinking the sound is posably due to one of the cam phasers but am unsure.Seems like this noise is pretty common based upon info I read from various forums

 

How many miles on this engine? And does the rattle/clatter happen only on cold starts or on every start?

 

About 82.5k,happens every cold start or if its been sitting 30/45 minutes or so.I'm begining to think it's just a case of all oil draining to pan and it takes a second to get the oil pumped back to the top.

 

Using 5w30 Mobil 1 What had you been using

 

get a new motor and see if the noise goes away

^^^ the unnecessarily hard and expensive way of getting rid of a noise :)

 

You forgot this

 

Ok oneton, you trying to start another argument???