Author Topic: low pitched rattling (Read 2919 times)

manuel · « **on:** June 07, 2007, 03:10:18 AM »

Hi, when I start my car and during about the first 5 minutes of driving, I can hear a low pitched rattling noise from the engine, this noise dissapears completely after about 5 minutes driving, I suppose it is normal as the car has 130000kilometres, I assume it disappears once the engine gets to operating temperature, the noise is very slight. Is this normal?. Apart from that the car drives great, I will post some pics of it during this week

sheepdog · « **Reply #1 on:** June 07, 2007, 06:11:44 PM »

How old is your timing chain tensoner?
If it is over 40k miles or you do not know, change it. Also, check for anything in your lower pan.

Ramblin MAn · « **Reply #2 on:** June 07, 2007, 06:22:21 PM »

That sounds exactly like what I'm experiencing and posted in another thread. I'm ordering an m44 tensioner to replace it.

manuel · « **Reply #3 on:** June 08, 2007, 03:08:23 AM »

I actually do not know if the timing chain tensioner was ever changed, I have owned my car for just 3 months, so it probably has not been changed ever, as I said the car has 130000kilometres on the clock, but the noise completely disappears after about 5 minutes, if as it seems changing the tensioner is a 10 minutes job, I might as well do it, I will check the oil pan in the next oil change as well, in about 5000k.

sheepdog · « **Reply #4 on:** June 08, 2007, 06:22:51 PM »

Quote from: manuel;27386

I actually do not know if the timing chain tensioner was ever changed, I have owned my car for just 3 months, so it probably has not been changed ever, as I said the car has 130000kilometres on the clock, but the noise completely disappears after about 5 minutes, if as it seems changing the tensioner is a 10 minutes job, I might as well do it, I will check the oil pan in the next oil change as well, in about 5000k.

With that many miles, pop the tensioner before installing it. I do not recommend the 3500rpm and pray method especially on a tensioner of this age (or possible age).

manuel · « **Reply #5 on:** June 11, 2007, 10:15:55 AM »

Sheepdog, do you mean that I should let the new tensioner expand, and then fit it?. Not sure if that is what you mean?.

sheepdog · « **Reply #6 on:** June 11, 2007, 01:13:54 PM »

Quote from: manuel;27556

Sheepdog, do you mean that I should let the new tensioner expand, and then fit it?. Not sure if that is what you mean?.

Exactly.
It is not that difficult to do and is much safer for the engine.