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Hi
My 1999 Mazda Familia vvt is making a grinding noise occasionally on startup. I've searched for the problem on google, and videos using mazdas that have the same noise ussually point to problems with the vvt actuator.
Last year, the vvt gear broke altogether. When this happened, the cambelt and cam seals all needed replacing, and since the vvt gear is old, my mechanic had to rebuild an old one and re-fit it.
The original issue occured in December last year. After that, in warmer months it starts making the noise occasionly on startup only. It never seemed to happen over winter and now its warming up its happening again? I have got no idea why, and earlier in the year I took it back to my mechanic but the car wouldn't make the noise, and now that its happening again I don't want to frustrate him by taking it back.

Hi there,
I would definately get it looked at, even if the technician needs the car for a few days in order to hear the problem. It may just not be too serious but defintely worth checking out just incase.