Rattle noise from engine at idle

[RichB]

After my engine is warmed up and I am sitting at idle, it sounds like I have a rattle noise coming from the passenger side of the engine. I hear nothing when the engine is cold. Could it be my timing chain? When should the timing chain and tensioner be changed? What about the VVT?

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Darth Vader]

Betting on the accessory belt tensioner. Remove the accessory drive belt and start the car. Still there? Then look elsewhere. VVT should typically be a rattle at startup that goes away as oil pressure builds. Put your finger in the oil fill and push on the timing chain between the chainwheels. Should be no slack here.

 

[RichB]

I thought the noise was my accessory belt tensioner at first but I replaced it over the weekend and I still hear a rattle. I opened up the oil cap to check the chain and I can basically lift if off of the sprocket. I am guessing that I have too much slack.

 

[ericrapp]

I had my tensioner go bad. tickety tick tickety. Now after 10k more it sounds to be going again. I might have a new issue but i think the tensioner pulley is pooed again. same sound of bad needle bearings. good thing i had Mazda do the last one!

 

[Darth Vader]

Yep, that ain't good. pull the valve cover and have a closer look. Make sure the VVT isn't fractured in the usual place and then get at the tensioner if that's ok.

 

[RichB]

Eric, did yours only "tickety tick tickety tick" when the engine was warm or did it do it when cold as well?

I already ordered all the parts I need (including a new VVT and a new Tesioner) from Online Mazda parts and I plan on having my local dealer do the work.

 

[meicalnissyen]

Betting on the accessory belt tensioner. Remove the accessory drive belt and start the car. Still there? Then look elsewhere. VVT should typically be a rattle at startup that goes away as oil pressure builds. Put your finger in the oil fill and push on the timing chain between the chainwheels. Should be no slack here.

hoping thats an engine off test

winks

 

[RichB]

Yes! Engine off and cold! Unless you want oil to spray everywhere and for you to burn yourself ofcourse.

 

[ericrapp]

Eric, did yours only "tickety tick tickety tick" when the engine was warm or did it do it when cold as well?

I already ordered all the parts I need (including a new VVT and a new Tesioner) from Online Mazda parts and I plan on having my local dealer do the work.

Mine was the external belt tensioner. I ignored it for a long time because it does not effect the valvetrain. Which i considered as Big time damage. at about 60k i had it replaced with the accesory belt as a maintenance. Mines ticking again i think a little and i might be getting pissed. sorry if i confused timing chain and the external "belt" tensioner for anyone. But hot or cold did not matter by the time i was concerned. Sorry i am little help on this but please let us know how you make out RichB. so far i have no chain noise, thank the Mazdaspeed gods

 

[RichB]

I thought it was my belt tensioner too so I replaced it with a NAPA part. It is kind of rediculous how much the old one rattles when it is shaken. Anyway the replacement was a pretty quick job. I think the OEM belt tensioner has design issues which is why I opted for the NAPA equivalent.

Anyway, I have an appointment on Monday to get my timing chain replaced. We'll see how it turns out.

 

[RichB]

Well, I got my car back from the dealer after my timing chain was replaced and I am amazed at the difference. My car is so quiet at idle now. It also starts up much quicker. It's almost like the starter doesn't even completely turn over. It drives pretty much the same but my accelerations are much more controled. I am glad I found this problem and got it fixed.