Mystery metallic grinding noise...

I sadly have a problem on my '06 Sonata that is proving very difficult
to cure.

On cold starts, when the car has been sitting for at least 8 hrs or
so, I will hear a (sometimes faint sometimes louder) metallic grinding
noise coming from under the hood somewhere, possibly near my wheels,
though I'm not sure.

I took it into the Hyundai dealership here, who rather quickly deduced
it was the power-steering pump. Well...It was replaced 48 hrs ago and
I just cold-started it...and the noise is still there.

While I'm totally ignorant on any mechanic stuff not involving the
most basic of 70's era American cars...I suspect some sort of bearing
or belt or chain issue.

Hyundaitech-man...PLEASE HELP ! I have to drive this thing 800 miles
to my wedding in 10 days !

 

Safe your car and your future well-being. Stay single.

 

How long does the noise last?
What engine do you have?

The amount of assistance I'm able to give may be limited. This sort
of thing is often difficult to diagnose without hearing the noise.

 

1. I'm in the GLS, so it's the V6. I hope that helps.

2. It will only be real audible at idle or low power-application. And
even then, it will disappear after about 30 minutes.

I understand if you can't help. I'm just kinda bummed that I've run
into a problem that (so far) 1 Hyundai dealer-shop has been unable to
find and fix.

 

This pretty much rules out timing chain tensioners. Typically, noise
caused by chain slack will go away within 5 sec of start-up. Engine
has solid lifters, so it cannot be a hydraulic lifter issue, either.
I've seen a couple crankshaft pulleys come apart. Yours could be in
the early stages, rubbing the timing chain cover.

If they didn't get the noise on the first visit, make an appointment
to drop it off one afternoon and return the next morning to start it
with them so you can point out the noise when it occurs.