Noise from Timing Chain

[Coachk]

I have 2003 1.8l Vibe with auto transmission. The car has 50,000 miles & I use 5-30 synthectic oil. I started with a tapping almost knocking noise when cold then goes away when it warms up. I took it to my mechanic for a valve adjustment but he said the noise is coming from the timing chain... either tensioner or variable valve timing accuator. Anyone else having this problem.

[dgekiere]

just an idea from some older posts i have read, it may be your serpentine belt tensioner the are somewhat common when you get a engine noise and it is in the area where it could be mistaken for timing chain noise. i have only seen one timing chain let go in the dealer ship and it was on a gt model owned by a teenager that i am pretty sure abused it, but have seen a few tensioners making some rattling noises when the shock goes bad on it.

[Coachk]

Thanks for the info. I will ask my mechanic to check it. I will post when I find out.

[2003vibe180000]

I have a 2003 with 180,000 miles. I get the rattle when cold and goes away as soon as it warms a little. Had the serpentine belt replaced at 100,000. Could this also be the tensor? How hard is it to replace? Should I have them replace the next time I get serpentine belt replcaed?

[tpollauf]

Quote, originally posted by 2003vibe180000 »I have a 2003 with 180,000 miles. I get the rattle when cold and goes away as soon as it warms a little. Had the serpentine belt replaced at 100,000. Could this also be the tensor? How hard is it to replace? Should I have them replace the next time I get serpentine belt replaced? Welcome It's about time another member in my neighborhood joins this great site I can't comment much on your situation as I'm not familiar with the engine. It will be a LONG time before I have to worry about issues such as this. Only 6000 miles on my 09 GT. Introduce yourself in a new post and upload pics of your ride! Again ......... WELCOME

[wallyuwl]

We have a 2003 and about two and a half years ago ours made a similar noise for about five minutes at start-up. Turned out to be the engine tensioner for the serp belt. We got it replaced by our mechanic, but it doesn't look too hard to do yourself. There are instructions on this site if you use the search function. With 80k miles on your serp belt you should probably replace the belt anyway, and if you've never replaced the tensioner you should replace that with that many miles. I'd get both done ASAP and see if the noise goes away. Even if the noise doesn't go away you will have done your Vibe a service (literally and figuratively) by replacing those two items with that amount of wear on both.

[09vGT]

Quote, originally posted by tpollauf » Only 6000 miles on my 09 GT. Wow.. only 6000.. My 09 GT has 54800.. LOL

[tpollauf]

Quote, originally posted by 09vGT »Wow.. only 6000.. My 09 GT has 54800.. LOLYou're LUCKY As in you get to enjoy the nice ride of this car. I'm in a commercial service van a MINIMUM of 5 days a week and maybe get to drive the Vibe once a week to the ice rink or some errands. It will be getting it's first oil change this week just in time for the trip to Indy Purchased it in May 2009

[09vGT]

Ahhhh.. yeah.. but you get to enjoy the remaining WARRANTY!! .. Enjoy the remainder!

[djkeev]

Quote, originally posted by tpollauf »You're LUCKY As in you get to enjoy the nice ride of this car. I'm in a commercial service van a MINIMUM of 5 days a week and maybe get to drive the Vibe once a week to the ice rink or some errands. It will be getting it's first oil change this week just in time for the trip to Indy Purchased it in May 2009Sorry to HiJack but you really need to change your oil change habits. There is indeed a mileage point at which oil should be changed but there is also a TIME point at which it should be changed. Not being driven much you've got a problem with condensation and short term "choke" use with your car which contaminates your oil.Consider going on a SIX MONTH oil change schedule.....or mileage, which ever comes first.Dave