(Fixed!) Rattling Noise From Front of Engine (Video)

[tsouth]

Solution: Timing components. I had the belt, tensioner and water pump replaced which remedied the issue. I can't say which part it was, but it's one of those "gonna do one, do them all" job anyways.

Morning everybody,

I am seeking insight on pinpointing a rattling/chatter noise which seems to come from the front of the engine. I've found another user's video online which also exhibits the same behavior and noise at 6 and 12 seconds.

http://youtu.be/RlxduHgXSPQ?list=UUjOwrKma0P5uD_7z3DIthPQ

Fwiw, Cam Gear bolt is tight, and I did check the distributor and rotor for contact but they're fine. Timing belt is due for replacement.

All feedback is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[theKrampus]

Its really hard to tell, there is so much going on in the video. You'd be best suited for help by having a friend start your car while you film, then post YOUR car. Noises can be similar but different causes.

Check the silly things before immediately jumping to a timing belt, though its very important to get that done.

Check the fan, mine made an awful noise and then I swapped it out and now its fine. You also need to keep in mind that m20s are just straight noisy. The m20/g260 more often then not in my experience is damn loud

[tytypetersen]

Check and make sure your water pump pully is on tight. All the bolts on mine came loose and made some nasty sounds up front

[tsouth]

Thanks for the input. I've checked the water pump pulley and there is no play. I took a 10mm wrench to the bolts and they were tight. The more research I find seems to point to the Timing belt tensioner. Is there an easy way to check this?

[cabriodster87]

The plastic cover just next to the alt can be removed for inspection. easier if you roll alt out of the way.

[tsouth]

Some info I found on another forum:

Yes that is what noise mine was making, this weekend I really started to diagnose the problem, and found that the rattle was coming from the upper drivebelt cover. After I opened up the engine, I found that there was some slack in the belt. This allowed the belt to hit the drivebelt cover. I adjusted the belt and made sure the tensioner wasn't bound up, and the sound went away. The noise was present before the timing belt change because the belt was so old and stretched out, there was a lot of slack. Hopefully this helps anyone else with a similar problem. In my case the noise became very loud around 2000 rpms when the engine speed was slowing down. Because when the engine slows, there wasn't any pull on the timing belt to make it taut.

Perhaps the solution is to go ahead and take care of the timing belt and tensioner.