Thought I had a bad bearing in an accessory making a noise. Replaced the tensioner because it looked pretty tired, was bouncing, and the bearing in its pulley was noisy. Reassembled, rattle still there. Pulled the belt off, rattle still there. Seems to be loudest from right side of engine and in the front.

Then I noticed that it is only there at low rpm, when you spin the engine faster - goes away. I'm thinking maybe the timing chain is hitting the aluminum cover - included a short video for the sound I'm hearing.

Also, I noticed yesterday that the seal at the harmonic balancer is leaking. I'm thinking there is some metal bits getting torn off by the chain and it has built up enough to get caught in the seal - and that could be causing the leak.

Opinions?

Video for sound is here:

 

That sounds like exhaust me or a heat shield rattling. I don't think it's the timing chain. If it was it SHOULD do it no matter the RPM. I had the same issue and it was a fever bolt lose (one right by the tire) and a rusted out heat shield.

 

Quick google search...
https://www.yourmechanic.com/article...g-timing-chain

Symptom number 5:

5. Engine rattles while idling

Unusual sounds are also a common warning sign of a problem inside your motor. Under normal conditions, the engine should have a consistent, smooth sound indicating everything is running as it should. However, when the timing chain is loose, it may cause a vibration inside the motor and that will produce a rattling noise as the engine idles.

 

Take off the distributor cap, roll the motor over by hand, put a wrench/socket on something, turn the motor backward until the rotor (in the distributor) starts to move. Then, turn the motor forward, until the rotor starts to move again. How far did it move? More than about 10-15 degrees, and the chain needs to be replaced.

 

I'll be honest that would be the first I have seen. But I have seen many firsts lol
That may work if it's loose but I'm thinking it may have came slightly off of one of the gears

 

It can't, unless it broke. And that would make some interesting noises.

 

I ordered this today, should pin point where the noise is coming from.

 

Those scopes are pretty nice, especially for noises along you accessory belt. I've never tried, but would you be able to feel with your hand on the timing cover if it was slapping it? I would probably take the belt off first if I was gonna do it.

 

Yeah, sticking your hand in there with the engine running could be FAR to exciting.

 

it'd be like the real life version of the game Operation