Doesn't happen all the time,
but when I start the car for about 1 to 3 seconds I hear a "diesel engine" or "sounds like ball bearings loose in the engine" or a knocking sound

could this be the ignition coils?
I know they have to be replaced because they ping when I accelerate.

 

pretty sure its ur starter it like mine needs some grease..

 

the starter makes a different noise I know that noise

 

Could be the timing chain tensioner--there's a TSB for 00 and 01 (I think) where during cold startup, sometimes the timing chain tensioner doesn't tighten up fully during the start so the timing chain rattles. AFAIK this isn't a cause for concern, mine's done it ever since I bought the car. I'd imagine it's worth replacing the tensioner and/or the timing chains themselves further down the road if you ever have your water pump replaced...

or if it's under warranty, complain to the dealer about it and have them do the TSB for free (under warranty of course).

 

Yes, some of us have had this happen, mine just recently did this for the first time. It seems to happen most likely after a quick start/shutdown.

One Saturday, I started the car and backed it into the driveway to clean the garage, then later pulled it back into the garage. It then sat for Sunday and on Monday morning when I started it to go to work, it diesel'd bad, almost like a rod knock sound. I shut it off quickly, then figured what the hell it's still under warranty, started it back up, it did it again for about 30-seconds or so then smoothed out.

Supposedly, excess fuel dumped during cold starts and immediate shut downs sits in the chambers and can cause misfiring or detonation to occur the next time you start it up. I don't know, but it sure was HORRIBLE sounding and can NOT be good. I plan to do an oil analysis soon, just to make sure nothing awry is going on inside.