97' 2.3 rattle noise at startup?
 

Okay so here is my problem that i cannot seem to figure out and maybe some people on here can help me or point me in the right direction.

My truck is a 2.3L 97 with 93k, 5 speed. When i start the truck up i hear this rattle. To me it sounds like 2 screws rattling inside a can. It last about less than a second. This seems to happen every time i start the truck up. I do not hear it while its running.

I have noticed if i drive on the highway for awhile (to and from work) instead of taking the regular roads it wont make this sound when i start it up.

Anybody else have this problem/mysterious noise? What could it be? Starter going bad? (Starts up just fine though).

did you change the oil recently?

could be a few things.....low on oil, thinner oil, freshly changed, different type of oil....

i noticed mine ticked a little at startup when i switched to a synthetic blend....but after a week, it went away

Loose starter or starter bendix is worn.
Valve lifter not pumping up or bad anti drainback valve in the oil filter.

Oil has been changed less than 500 miles ago. Buddy looked at it and he thought it was coming near the intake manifold area?

It doesnt sound like a lifter.. its not a knock like im low on oil or anything for that matter. Ill see if i can get a sound clip of it and put it up here. Its strange, no idea if its an easy fix or something more difficult or where it could be coming from.