... and this one is a bit embarrassing.
Original thread here: https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/5041949/1
I thought I had fixed it after I replaced the tensioner, which was a bit sticky and I thought that was the problem, but apparently not) and I didn't hear any rattling after I started the engine and let it warm up, but I only had time to go for a quick drive up the street.
I didn't drive the car again for several days, but then I drove for a longer distance and the same noise came back. If I let the car cool down, the noise is either gone or very quiet until it warms all the way up again. I thought it might have something to do with thinning oil, but it remained unchanged even when running a 40 weight.
I'm getting more and more annoyed at this, and I really don't want to do a full timing job on this engine, but I where the noise is coming from the timing cover, so I don't know what else it could be.
I don't know why I didn't do this sooner before replacing the tensioner, but I decide to pull the accessory belt off, run the engine briefly, and what do you know, no noise! If I listen to it with just my ears, I remain convinced to this day that the noise was coming from the timing cover, but after poking around with a long screwdriver as a stethoscope, there is no noise at all from the timing area but the alternator is making a terrible racket. No charging issues, but the bearings must be shot. I can spin it by hand with no weird noises or grinding, but put it back on the car and run it at just above idle when warm, and it sounds terrible. Replaced it with a new Denso unit the other day and drove over 100 miles, still quiet!
It was probably never the timing chain to start with, and the sticky tensioner was probably still functioning just fine
Original thread here: https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/5041949/1
I thought I had fixed it after I replaced the tensioner, which was a bit sticky and I thought that was the problem, but apparently not) and I didn't hear any rattling after I started the engine and let it warm up, but I only had time to go for a quick drive up the street.
I didn't drive the car again for several days, but then I drove for a longer distance and the same noise came back. If I let the car cool down, the noise is either gone or very quiet until it warms all the way up again. I thought it might have something to do with thinning oil, but it remained unchanged even when running a 40 weight.
I'm getting more and more annoyed at this, and I really don't want to do a full timing job on this engine, but I where the noise is coming from the timing cover, so I don't know what else it could be.
I don't know why I didn't do this sooner before replacing the tensioner, but I decide to pull the accessory belt off, run the engine briefly, and what do you know, no noise! If I listen to it with just my ears, I remain convinced to this day that the noise was coming from the timing cover, but after poking around with a long screwdriver as a stethoscope, there is no noise at all from the timing area but the alternator is making a terrible racket. No charging issues, but the bearings must be shot. I can spin it by hand with no weird noises or grinding, but put it back on the car and run it at just above idle when warm, and it sounds terrible. Replaced it with a new Denso unit the other day and drove over 100 miles, still quiet!
It was probably never the timing chain to start with, and the sticky tensioner was probably still functioning just fine
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