Banging noise when cold

Daughter brought her 96 2.5L cirrus home and when I started it I about died. Heard a terrible banging noise which went away after the engine warmed up. Got under it next morning and it sure sounds like the banging noise is inside the oil pan. Do these engines have a history of spinning a bearing? Ready to drop the pan and see what falls out! Any advice appreciated.

Noticed yesterday that if I put the car in gear, the noise stops. Maybe related, a dealer replaced a worn front motor mount several months ago. Wonder if they misaligned the engine/trans and caused the rear main to wear. Looks like the rear main seal is also leaking big time...never did until now. Any clues out there?

SOUNDS like a bearing.

Do you start it and it stops after just a minute?

Also check the rear of the engine better. Get a can or 3 of starting fluid and soak the rear of the block and see if any oil is coming from the top of the engine where the head connects to it also take off the rad. cap and see if theres any brown foam. If there is its probably the head gasket.

oh yeh whats the mileage and do you do 3000 mile oil changes???

Thanks for the input. A local repair shop also thought it was a bearing and wanted to replace the engine. Problem with that diagnosis was that the noise stopped once the engine was warmed up. Took it to some "shade tree mechanics" I know and mentioned that the banging stopped when I put the trans in reverse. They told me to check the flex plate. Dropped the trans and sure enough, the flex plate was cracked all the way around in almost a hexagonal pattern. Also took a look at the rear main seal and it was also cracked and brittle as can be expected at 135K. Car now runs fine. Glad I waited and discussed the problem with guys more talented than myself!