ok, you all know i changed the timing belt a few days ago. here is my problem. yesterday when i was driving the car i noticed a little bit of noise from where the belts are. it was only from about 1500 or 1700 to about 2000 or 2300 or so. anyways, i figured it was a belt rubbing and i would check it later. well, tonight, i didnt hear it as well so i figured no big deal as i had not had time to check it before i drove it. on my way home from work tonight, right when i started driving, one belt squeaked a little but that is it. then, i noticed that sound again. it was a little more noticable so i took it easy on the car. then, on the off ramp, it got super loud. extremely audible in the car. it only happens from about 1500 or 1700 to about 2000. that makes me think it was the heat shield just rattling away because you cant hear it at all after 2k rpm. its like the sound just goes away. when i got home, i popped the hood. i listened around a little. it is def coming from near where the belts are but it may also be from the top of the valve cover. the first thing that came to mind was lifter tick, but it does sound like tick. it sounds like one of those old toy machine guns that makes noise when you pull the trigger but a little less machine gun like. i dont know. i am going to try to take a vid of it tomorrow after work and i am gonna ask the guys in indy dsm about it because we are having a meet tomorrow. what could it be. hopefully, just the heat shield because it has always rattled. please, dont let it be something mechanical. it has seriously gotten cold and i bought this car to drive during the cold this year. i will be uber pissed if it is down or i have to spend more money....thanks guys!!!

Crank pulley may be seperating. Tug on the pulley and see if the two rings move independantly of each other. Very common problem, very easy fix.

i will check that. i also read on teamnabr that the auto tensioner may be banging against the tensioner arm. if the t-belt tension is not set correct, it could happen i suppose. my current theory until i take everything apart and prove it is that after a few days of driving everything is getting looser. i had a belt squeak on me so that supports that theory. i just set the tension by pushing up on the tensioner pulley as hard as i could and hand tighten the pulley bolt and let go the auto tensioner piston. that is it. i know that is not precise so it could happen. i think it is way to loud to be ticking lifters. it sounds like a mini machine gun with the hood open at idle. it goes away after 2k rpm, roughly when the car smooths itself out from exhaust rattle and etc....what else you guys think?!

bump

Andrew, i cannot make it this coming weekend to work on the car. Like i said i thought i had plans for this weekend. We have family plans that i forgot about. Maybe Mark could still help and if you could get tim to help you should be set. its really not that hard.

Rockin the INDY DSM club