Just the cold weather or should i be worried?

[maximus14]

Since it's been cold lately, I've been starting my car up everyday since i drive the car once or twice a week. When I do turn on the car, the engine has a rough start. Opening the hood grinding noises seems to be coming from the cam gears and power steering pump. Along with that smoke seems to be coming from the general area when I rev the engine. What's going on here? Is this all due to the cold?

Ok more info. Once my engine is warmed up it's fine. The idle is always fine regardless if the engine is cold or hot. Though to me it the engine doesn't seem to run quiet at all. Lifter tapping is noticeable. I've always used synthetic mobil 1 oil. I've moved the PS pump three times when I did my water pump, replacing my alternator, and swapping out my old exhaust mani. Maybe the PS pump is actin funny from being messed with. But I'm just scared my timing/cams/cam gears are messed up and in need of a rebuild. Please help.

 

[oldman]

Check your crank pulley.

 

[Defiant]

^ ^ ^ Yup, harmonic balancer.

 

[maximus14]

the noise is really really tough to determine now. put it this way it sounds like lifter tap but 10 x's worst. and no it's not my lifters. i highly doubt it's my crank because i've replaced my crank pulley with a used but good pulley i got. i dont think both can become bad in less than half a year.

another note i noticed today. there was oil on my turbo and partial of my exhaust mani. the smoke seems to be coming from the block. I think i need a new head gasket.

 

[n0c7]

On the topic of cold weather - I've parked my Eclipse because it doesnt deserve the harsh lashings Canadian winters unravel Until I pulled the battery, I perodically went out and fired it up and let it run, the check engine light would always come on, although everything appeared to be running fine. After a few days and a raise in temperature, it stopped coming on and hasnt since. I figure it has something to do with the improper setup and routing of the atmospheric BOV. Also, I had slight lifter tick in the cold but it vanished after a oil change with basic 5W30 and some lifter freer from the local auto parts store. Just some tips to throw your way. Good luck!