So I picked up an 02 MCS. It has 138,000 miles but runs really strong with no lose of power. However, it has a Click/Clack noise around 1,800 rpm. The previous owner was afraid it might be a rod bearing. After reading the forum I was convinced it was the harmonic balancer, but I just pulled it off and it looks very solid. Anybody got a good suggestion of where to look next?

This is not my video, but it sounds very similar to the click/clack I'm hearing.

Thanks in advance.

 

Not much to go on. How about using an automotive stethoscope to isolate the location of the noise?

 

supercharger PTO may have gone bad

 

Check your timing chain tensioner and guides, i just had a friend with a failed guide. we found the parts in the pan.
also
Check your supercharger.

 

7 out of 10 times an engine clatter is the timing chain tensioner.

 

7 out of 10 times an engine clatter is the timing chain tensioner. That's good news because the tensioner and guides are cheap.

 

I still have the crank pulley and belt off so I spun the supercharger by hand. It turns ok to me with no clicking or tight areas.

Any pointers on how best to check the timing chain tensioner?

Thanks for your suggestions.

 

how many miles on the car?
For the 50 dollars and some swearing it will take to change it, just pull it out and stick a new one in.
Its fairly easy the tensioner plugs into the back of the block just over the oil filter housing.
its a 19mm nut i use a medium extension and a 3/8 breaker bar.
that almost always works for me.

 

^^ + Make sure you torque it when you put it back in.

 

http://www.minitorque.com/forum/f26/...-method-22182/

Discussion re: changing chain tensioner. Note: they are talking about right hand drive cars.

 

It has 139,000 miles on it.
Thanks for the link. I'll see if this looks doable for me. I take it that you can just change out the tensioner without having to change the timing chain itself.

It also has an oil leak on the front side of the engine. I'm hoping it is just the crankcase sensor.

I really appreciate your help!

 

Absolutely, just pull the bolt, pull the tensioner piston, NBD, you may need a swivel, I actually have a swivel socket for the job, and as I said earlier, make sure you torque it properly, it "will" come loose otherwise & since it's oil pressure activated you absolutely don't want it loosening up.

 

A bad tensioner led to a broken guide rail. I put it all back together and it started but no oil pressure. How did you fare?