So I've been getting the damn death rattle for about a month roughly. I changed the tensioner and still the noise is still there. So, then I decided to operate. After about an hour of somewhat easy work, I reached the timing chain. Is there anything you guys would recommend I do to see if it is the chain and not something else? I do not have the tool to take it apart. R53 incase you were wondering

 

If you were still getting the noise it could be that the plastic part of your chain guide dropped into the oil pan. That's what mine did.

 

+1 the Chain Guide may have started to come apart on you...

It doesn't happen all the time, but it happens.

Motor on!

 

So I looked at it a little closer last night. it seems, the tensioner rail is split in two for a good 4 inches. I'm not a professional, by any means, but I assume that's the problem. The question now, can I uninstall the rail without removing the whole thing?

 

I had the same issue, my guides were cracked. The short answer is yes you can replace the guides without removing the whole thing. However, if you have plastic down in your oil pan you will need to get that out by dropping the pan. Be careful you don't mess up the chain/sprocket position and lose timing.

Good luck!

 

If you pull the guides from the top be sure not to let the chain move and skip teeth. If you are missing plastic, definitely pull the oil pan. If the bits are small they will get sucked into the pickup and reduce flow of oil, and thats really bad.

 

There was a piece about 1/2in wide, hanging from the guide itself. So yes, as a precautionary measure, I will look in the oil pan. Thank a lot guys!!