Let's try again with more detail.

When the car starts, the engine makes a sharp clacking noise, then makes a wind down noise. My analogy is that it sounds like a fan that creaks and clangs for 1 second then shuts down making the winding noise. The total time is 3-5 seconds. Afterwards the engine sounds normal and the car drives well. It may have something to do with the oil pump system(?) at ignition.

I checked the oil. It was low. I added 1 1/2 quarts which brought it close to the max mark on the dipstick. It is due for an oil change (85,000 miles). 10W30 oil is used.

The check engine light is on. The dealer codes indicate that it is the air pump. We replaced the air pump in 4/01 @ 68,000 miles. No other lights are on on the dashboard.

Some feedback indicates that it may be the lifters, oil pan pump, etc.

Whatever the problem is, I hope that it is not a big job. I've spent enough on the car already.

The weather has been cold (30-40 degrees), but the car is garaged.