my 2001 1500 3.9 is rattling at idle i thought it seemed to be coming from the tensioner area but after doing some reading it seems its gona be the timing chain. this truck has 200k on it but other then that it seems like it runs ok.

question is how concerned should i be . should i stop driving it until i repace the chain and associated parts or is it just a matter of it being an annoying noise.

all the info i could find was pretty old whats the best way to go with replacing the parts i read about double roller vs stock or so on.

 

What's your oil pressure at idle?

 

right about the middle of gauge maybe a hair under

 

Might be a good idea to grab a mechanics stethoscope, or, the poor mans equivalent. (I used a long screwdriver......) and see if you can determine where the noise is coming from.

That said, with 200K on the clock, replacing the timing set really wouldn't be such a bad plan. Given the mileage on your truck already though..... I would just go with a stock replacement.

 

ok thanks alot for the info.
asking about the pressure were you thinking something with pump or lifters? i was also reading about that but from what i read seemed like if it were lifters it may get noisier with increase in throttle. im only going buy what i read, so any opinions are greatly appreciated.
since im new to this truck im just wondering if its somethign i need to jump on immeditately or let it go for awhile stock parts are cheap enough and they have them in stock i could probably do it tomorrow or next day. just wondering if it might snap any minute or if it might go awhile like that.

 

its a morse style chain, so, it is unlikely to break, it may, however.... slip. Which would probably be just as bad....... It certainly won't HURT to change it out...... (and the water pump too, since you have to take it off anyway......) Still, find the noise, verify that this is indeed your problem, especially if you are on a limited budget.

 

ok il look into the noise more befor throwing parts at it.

i picked up the truck cheap so i dont mind these things that have been relatively cheap fixes being able to do the repairs myself but i would like to save as much as possible because im waiting for something like the transmission to fail or even the motor being it has such high miles.

thanks again

 

My stock tensioner used to stick pretty bad, I had to pull it toward the passenger fender to get the belt tight.
I replaced that with a junkyard tensioner and after a while it started clicking and clacking at idle. I imagine it's due to the metal spring pressing against the plastic bushing inside it (you can see it in the slot on top of the tensioner).
I replaced the second one with a new one in the parking lot at Advance and it's been quiet ever since.

 

well i popped the belt off and couldnt get it to make the rattle put the belt on and its back. i noticed putting it in gear makes it do it just about every time but not with belt off.

i guess my question now is would the extra drag with the belt on be enough to make the chain flop around in there.

kinda wouldnt make sense to me but im not too familiar with these trucks.
it kinda sounds like a hallow or aluminum kinda sound but im just not sure. the pulleys all moved free and smooth.

since i only really use the truck on weekends or here and there i think maybe i should just let whatever it is fail and hope im close to home when it does.
that tensioner is very tempting i think i hear it more on that side of motor . i was thinkin if it was the chain id hear it on both sides.but not sure about that either.

definately opened to ideas or anymore suggestions
thanks again

 

If the noise goes away when you pull the belt, it is highly likely that it is one of the devices driven by the belt. A/C compressor/clutch would be a likely culprit.....