Tractor noises on a 147

[johndoc2000]

My 2002 147 2.0TS is making a few not very nice noises. Its intermittent so I'm asking before the dealer tells me he couldn't find anything.
On starting, for no more than 2 seconds, it very occasionally sounds like its running on zero oil. Like tappets but not as high pitched and because its an '02, to me, more abrasive.
Like I say, it happens for no more than 2 seconds and only once in 10 starts. I had thought it was only when cold but its misbehaved on a warm start once or twice and I'm sure the frequency of occurrence is increasing.
Am I grinding the whole engine into little bits????:(

[johndoc2000]

Alfa mentioned it when I called to book the car in so your second opinion sounds spot on . Excuse my ignorance..... but the variator.... remind what that does.
What about £'s? or would it be covered under warranty?

[johndoc2000]

Cheers lads.
History has the 12k service done at 10.5k and the 24k done at 18 so.. dandy! Didn't really fancy the £500 option

[johndoc2000]

Back on this one again. After the last post, went to have it looked at. The supplementary belt was making noises anyway. Dealer told me it was nothing to do with the variator, instead, it was low on oil. Now, I check that according to the book instructions (let it run then cool a little) and low on oil is not my style. Anyway the 147 is occasionally still making the noises.

Dealer reckons: Its oil pressure building-up (?)

Anyone else???