What would you do?

@Jenny1234 did that as well years ago. Luckily I believe it was just the gas cap off wrong, and eventually a week or two later the engine light went off.

@Jenny1234 Sounds like my sister in law lol. I own a shop and do all the work on her car (on the rare occasion she has work done to it) for free usually, but getting her to bring it in or even recognizing theres an issue is near impossible. I usually just show up at her house, hand her my keys and take hers from her, so i can service the car. Yesterday I did just that and it ran horrible. Now her car is older but in near perfect condition. Its a 96 Honda Accord. I'm not sure if you ever had any experience driving or riding in one of those within the past 30 years, but if so, you may remember that they vibrated/shook pretty noticeably, some worse than others. Her's is one of the pretty bad one's, even when its running 100%. Anyway, when i picked it up, it took me 3 tries to get it started and to say that it ran rough would be the understatement of a lifetime. When it would actually stay running on its own at red lights, it shook so hard that nothing would stay on the passenger seat, but 9 times out of 10, it stalled without me giving it gas. I wasnt prepared for all this and had a bunch of errands to run last night, so that was fun. So today i call her and ask her if she's got anything in particular she wants me to go over on her car. She said she couldnt think of anything off hand. I asked if she was sure a couple of times before she remembered that she thinks she saw her check engine light on but she wasnt sure. I asked her about the stalling issue to which she replied, "it doesn't always stall and never does when I keep giving it gas." Its apparently been like this for a few months now and she didn't think to mention it because she thinks this gives her car, "character."
Sorry to keep you with such a long post, I just thought it was funny and this seemed like the right place to share my day.

@NickyLee it would be so nice to have a mechanic in the family!! She’s very lucky

@Jenny1234 I think they'll keep me around lol. I never write up tickets for my family, so Im not sure how much money i save them. Its just my contribution to the ones I care about i guess. No one ever really buys new cars, so I know they are saving a lot.

@Jenny1234 my sister in law is a trip though. Her car is always an interesting one when i get it

@NickyLee I agree with Jenny she is lucky🙂 That is really kind! Given that my code said Intake or gasket ..do you think I should go right away to mechanic? It only makes a slight noise louder than usual..starting up. Then fades and never makes another sound driving all day.

@Coralmist I wouldn't think it would be a major issue right away. Without knowing what kind of car you have or the symptoms its having, i cant say for sure of course, but there isn't really any way that a scan tool can detect an actual intake gasket leak. Its possible that it was an intake temp sensor code, a MAF code or something like that. Unless its a Nissan Altima, then the mechanic was spot on with intake gasket leak. What i can say for sure though, if you had an intake gasket leaking, the car would more than likely idle pretty rough and shake a good bit while its idling. Otherwise, a failed sensor will just change the air fuel mixture, which over time could create some major problems. Just pay attention to the way it runs.
Whats the idle like now? When its cold or warm?

@NickyLee So it runs very smoothly all day. No issues.. no sounds. Only when initially starting the engine up for the day, I hear it is a 'bit ' louder than usual. But within a few seconds fades away and no concerning sound at all. I wonder could the code they ran (a hardware store ran it through their code machine), be off? I read online sometimes a dirty air filter or something minor can make the engine light go on. Or are the codes pretty accurate? He said if it is a gasket, it is cheap.. but if Intake, then more expensive :( I just wonder if I can wait a few weeks to get it looked over by a mechanic. (if it runs well each day..)

@Coralmist They are probably talking about the air intake, not the actual intake gasket. If thats the case, then yes, its probably an easy fix. Could just be the air filter, or if you just recently had the air filter replaced, the air filter box may not be on correctly.

My guess is that you're probably fine for now. If you start feeling a noticeable difference while the engine is idling, then its probably becoming an issue.

Maybe don't wait as long as my sister in law did to mention that her car wasn't running right. Well, she actually never did even mention it and it hardly stays running on its own lol

@NickyLee Lol. Ok thanks.. I appreciate your ideas. I won't wait like months, but maybe I don't have to rush it in this week or next. I will watch it /gauge it as well. I'm grateful it is running smooth besides that small louder sound as it starts. Thanks again :)

@Coralmist when exactly is this sound happening? While the engine is cranking and turning over, or immediately after it starts?

....and you're welcome

@NickyLee It is essentially right after I start the car, it just sounds like the engine is rumbling slightly, making a bit louder sound than usual. Basically right after I start it. For like 10 seconds. Then it just sounds smooth and normal and drives normally all day. (however the engine light stays on each day)