2012 GS Recorded Start Up(s)

mrharrelson@yahoo.com

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Buick Ownership
2012 Buick Regal GS
Top of the morning to you guys!

Question: When start your car in the morning, do you wait until the car has finished the warm up phase or do you get in and drive away as soon as you start the car? I wait until the warm-up phase is done and the car's RPM is below 1. I know I might be asking for a lot here, but I am wondering if you guys and record and post your start ups. I want to see what your start up sounds like to compare so I can report my findings to the dealer. They seem to think my start up are normal. But I would argue that the tone of the start ups wouldn't change, if it was normal. It would sound the same each time I start the car when the engine is cold. I've been trying to find a 12 GS in my area but they are hard to find. This was the only option I could think of to compare.

Here are my recordings of my start ups. I swear, each one sounds different. Let me also note, that this is after my timing chain has been replaced. Each recording is of a cold start after a 1 or hour soak. Only one is the first start up of the day.


https://youtu.be/1koka6ZjHd4

https://youtu.be/fh5X20Ur8Qc

https://youtu.be/Xd4UamHMAJo
 
I do the same exact thing lol. Nothing wrong with being safe. But I get the same sound on mine except I do have the GM Performence Stage kit for the car so after I installed it the vacuum sound was slightly louder due to the CAI.
 
If your concern is timing chain related placing the recording device on the floor next to the open drivers door is not the way to do it. You need to open the hood and place the recording devise on the passenger side shock tower close to where the timing chain and tensioners are located. I hear nothing unusual in the recordings.
 
I have always let my engine rpms drop before pulling away. After my belt tensioner was fixed the startup sounded a bit different (better).
Mine is a ‘13 so same engine as yours.
 
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Thank you for your time and reply. However, my concern is with the rattle that is heard in the recording. Now, if that is timing chain related (after the fix) I am unsure at this time. My point here is that the start up sound different to me. Also, when I play back the recording, I have my headphones on which allows me to hear the rattle that shouldn't be there.

If your concern is timing chain related placing the recording device on the floor next to the open drivers door is not the way to do it. You need to open the hood and place the recording devise on the passenger side shock tower close to where the timing chain and tensioners are located. I hear nothing unusual in the recordings.
 
Good Morning SHS92645,

Thank you for your reply man! I can confirm that the start up does sound better after they repaired the timing chain. It was a year long battle of make these recordings to prove to them there was an issue, plus all of the input from this group, that allowed me to point them in the right direction to get the issue resolved with the TC. At first they told me it wasn't the time chain. Then told me the noise was normal. Then they told me to go to a Buick dealership to have them resolve the issue. A issue they said was normal.Then they finally address and resolve the issue. My issue now is that the sound of the start up, although better, shouldn't have this rattle sound I am hearing. The start up tone from the engine should sound the same. Some times I hear it, some times it sound smooth, like it should. Just want to be sure they address everything. Right now, the car has been in the shop for 3 weeks with the dealer resolving other issues! SMDH!!
 
The Whoosh or Vacuum sound you hear that goes away after 10 seconds is the Pre-Heat for the Catalytic Converter, and is normal. My 2005 Pontiac Bonneville did the same thing, nothing to worry about, it's an emissions thing.
 
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