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Hi.
My car sometimes makes a grinding noise upon startup...ussually after its been left for a few hours or more and often on a hot day (depite the engine being cold)..or it could be sometimes the car is parked on an angle..its sounds like a part of the engine isnt getting oil. Its a 1999 mazda familia.
The noise is very similar to the noise in the video. Lats only a second and will not do it at all once the engine is up a nd running. Ive recently had oil changed by trusted mechanic who uses caltex magnetec and 10w-40. The oil level is good and clean..however car did do this occasionly before oil change aswell.
I am just wanting to be sure that it is not anything major and will not be causing the engine damage.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNrHl_XH6Q4

From the video it sounds like a possible hydraulic lifter noise. However, some things aren't that easy to diagnose and it could be another part causing an initial lack of lubricant to the cylinder head. I suggest you take the vehicle to a mechanic for diagnosis. Hopefully it is something as simple as needing to fit a genuine oil filter.

ok thanks. I trust the car received a genuine oil filter as my mechanic has done this before without problem and he specialises with mazda's which mine is. The only issue is I don't know if I can replicate it for the mechanic as it only ever sometimes does it when it has been left for some time (a whole day or more usually). My noise is not quite as bad as that in the video, but it lasts for the same amount of time and does it just after startup, would you think it is something that would cause the engine any damage as that is primarily my main concern?