Hello all, I'm hoping someone can point me in the right direction with some rattles that have just appeared on my 02 R53 MCS @ 143,000 Klms.

1st one is a constant rattle that doesn't seem to get any better or worse as the engine warms up. I'm thinking timing chain tensioner??? as it seems to be constant. This noise doesn't sound to bad but does overpower the engine noise on idle.

2nd rattle has only just appeared tonight during a "spirited" entrance on the freeway. At 6000 rpm the engine now makes a noticeable rattle that sounds similar to the above but much louder. This rattle goes the second I back the revs off below 6k.

Hopefully both are related and can be fixed with a new timing chain tensioner but does the high revs noise sound more like it could be SC or SC tensioner related?

 

How old is your tensioner, damper and belt?

You might also check your crank shaft pulley. The rubber part on the oem pulley may be separating from the metal part that the belt rides on.

Can you post a video of the sound?

 

Good news the 6k rattle was just the stock plastic inner hood scoop rubbing on my aftermarket intercooler... scoop removed problem solved

Its still got the standard rattle that sounds like a diesel. You can view it here on a warm motor with highest revs peaking at 6k.

 

Oh and according to the service history I'm guessing the timing chain tensioner is the original from 2002 with 143,000k's on it... I've sourced a genuine one here in Sydney for $78 AUD in time for the weekend and I have my mechanic lined up for a Saturday install in which I also plan on putting a new oil filter,oil change and sump clean to see if there is any tensioner guide rail residue. Fingers crossed the tensioner does the trick in quieting down the idle of the engine. But please watch the video to see if you think I'm on the right track?

 

Hi all, can I please get some expert opionons on the diesel-esq rattle in the video above?

Don't want to seem pushy but I'm ordering the timing chain tensioner tonight and would like to gauge whether I'm on the right track before hand?

 

Browsing on mobile so the video diddnt open properly, does the diesel like noise go away when you push the clutch in?

 

No it's constant whether the clutch is in or out, if you get chance to view the video it was taken with the car in neutral. Cheers for having a go though

 

I'll throw out a guess for the drive belt tensioner or deflection pulley, or waterpump. But before throwing parts at it, you should get an automotive stethoscope (less than $10 at the parts store) and start listening to the various parts of the engine to see what is actually making the noise. Just don't touch the moving parts. Mounting bolts or parts of the engine that are close to the parts would be sufficient.
Alternatively, assuming you have the tool to do it, remove the drive belt (completely) and run the engine to see if the noise is gone. Take care to not run it too long or rev it too much as your SC, alternator and waterpump will not be operating. If you still have the noise with no belt, then its likely the chain tensioner, if no noise, then it has to do with the belt drive.

 

If your tensioner has been bad for a while, check your guide rails as well. The plastic tends to break apart if the chain slaps against them. If they are broken, you'll have to remove the sump to get all the little bits.

 

Thanks for all the input guys, I've ordered the tensioner as I've got a 10 hour round trip planned in the coming month and want to make sure my baby is in top shape for the trip. Also as my mechanic will be putting it up on the hoist for oil change this weekend its a good preventative maintenance I think.

As for the age of the rattle its only been present for a month to six weeks so fingers crossed for no guide rail damage, we'll take sump off during the oil change to inspect and take from there. If there is no improvement i'll certainly try the SC isolation method as that seems like a clever way of diagnosing further.

And cheers for the heads up on the automotive stethoscope, it's nice to have a few options up my sleeve.

 

Found the rattle!! Turns out it was a missing bush from s/c tensioner stop. 2 minute fix and now only making the noises it should

 

Sc tensioner stop bushing? How did you fix it?

 

Easy to change, its just getting to it. I have a link here with a complete replacement of the tensioner, but it will be a good reference for switching the bushings also. Personally I purchased a new tensioner for $75 on Amazon and put better bushings on before installation.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarti...eplacement.htm

 

WMW has the best deal on their own bushings or the Powerflex ones. Very easy to change, maybe 30 minutes to remove change bushes an reinstall.

 

Thumbs up for the WMW Delrin bushings! Pricey but they get the job done.

 

I've ordered this http://www.altaperformance.com/hardtop/r53-tension-stop as the overall long term fix, also I like the preventive aspect of protecting the crank pulley if the belt fails. The short term was to source a bushing of similar spec at the local parts place.

Would like to order from WMW but unfortunately they don't ship to Australia (from memory anyway) any input on the Alta would be appreciated tho. Cheers