Rattle/knocking in timing belt cover - SRT Forums

jaymzx · 07-09-2008, 08:17 PM

So I got a new noise now. I have a card-in-spokes sound inside the timing belt cover and it speeds up/slows down with the RPMs. It's got 112,000mi on it so it's been due for a new belt for about 7K mi. I'm visualizing a frayed timing belt slapping the cover, but does it fray before it breaks or does it just snap? I'm trying to determine if this is minor, as in just an annoying noise, or major, as in the belt is about to snap.

Thoughts? I know most of the trouble in changing the belt is getting the damn covers off. If it wasn't such a PITA I'd open it up and look but if I'm going to go that far I may as well replace it. I had a new belt/idler/tensioner/pump but I sold them all to another forum member..so it looks like I'll be emailing Jimmy shortly to re-order.

DDogsrt461BLK 3.0 · 07-09-2008, 08:25 PM

could be idler pulley, tensioner pulley, or the water pump only things in there.

I'm willing to bet it's a tensioner pulley.

jaymzx · 07-09-2008, 08:35 PM

Sounds like it's coming from the top of the cover and it's definitely a 'tapping on plastic' sound...

DDogsrt461BLK 3.0 · 07-09-2008, 08:39 PM

you might have a split in the belt, even then. I would get it looked at as soon as possible.

jaymzx · 07-09-2008, 08:46 PM

Ya know, after listening to it, it could very well be farther down in the tensioner/idler area..and not necessarily plastic..just high-pitched. Seems to go away in the 1500rpm range and then return louder at higher RPMS.

I'm just trying to see how much time I have. Probably play it by ear.

Jdurzua · 07-23-2008, 07:47 PM

If you take upper timing belt cover off and look down into the tensioner area with a flash light you will see the alignment tit smacking the tensioner sight window. Hope this helps.

jaymzx · 07-23-2008, 10:50 PM

I'll take a look. I have the belt/tensioner/idler/water pump sitting here and will likely install it in the next couple weeks. I've found that the noise comes and goes-usually loudest after it's got some heat in it-like coming off the freeway or after the engine has been turned off for 5-30 mins. I'll take the cover off and take a look.

d_fl8ted1 · 08-02-2008, 12:01 PM

did you ever fix this... i am going through the same thing... just after my engine build... please let me knwo what you found

jaymzx · 08-02-2008, 12:58 PM

Heh. Not yet. I have the parts here but just haven't had the time to dig into it. I'm planning on following jdurzua's advice and taking a look. Worst case would be water pump or idler pulley failure, I figure.

d_fl8ted1 · 08-02-2008, 01:18 PM

well i have done that... and it did look as that was happening...

i put a brand new water pump in it only has 700 miles on it...

this didnt start till after a couple days after firiing it up.... so i am going to say i have tensioner failure.... but going to replace the tensioner with dcr's tensioner and get a new timing pulley on top... and will probably go ahead and change water pump

jaymzx · 08-02-2008, 01:29 PM

Just give the water pump a spin and see that it moves smoothly. I'm replacing my water pump since it's got 113,000mi on it. Since I'm replacing my belt for maintenance reasons, and I don't plan on going back in there anytime soon, I'm replacing everything that touches the belt with the exception of the three gears, of course.

d_fl8ted1 · 08-02-2008, 01:36 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by jaymzx

Just give the water pump a spin and see that it moves smoothly. I'm replacing my water pump since it's got 113,000mi on it. Since I'm replacing my belt for maintenance reasons, and I don't plan on going back in there anytime soon, I'm replacing everything that touches the belt with the exception of the three gears, of course.

yes i will do that on the pump.... but am for sure going to replace that stationary pulley up on top under the cam gears..

I hate put a timing belt on this car... it is so easy out of the car but fffnnn hard while in the car... but i have no timing cover to mess with... just that damn bracket and power steering pump to get off...

jaymzx · 08-02-2008, 01:41 PM

Yea that damn bracket. I plan to replace the tensioner and according to the FSM it involves removing the rear cover which involves pulling the cam gears-but a local guy says otherwise. I'll see how it looks when I take it apart.

d_fl8ted1 · 08-02-2008, 02:12 PM

if i remember correctly it does involve removing the cover...

jaymzx · 08-02-2008, 05:22 PM

Yea, I know. We'll see. He says he just did a tensioner and it wasn't necessary. The guy is never full of shit so if it's the case, I'll post up.