Engine Rattle at 1500RPM

[n2soccer21]

My '95 ATX engine just started to rattle. It rattles slightly at idle, then a lot at 1500RPM, but higher than 1500RPM it sounds fine. Could this be a valve issue, camshaft, or other? Does this sound like a serious problem? Roughly how much should I expect to pay to solve this problem?


Thanks!

Nick

 

[lowc]

if you could post up a vid it would help us help you alot better

 

[St Louis SHO]

Nick, post up that sound clip.

 

[Art5]

I had something similiar on one of my SHOs that I downshifter by accident. People told me that valves went out of adjustment.

 

[n2soccer21]

Here's a short video of the problem. As I said, it really only makes the noise at 1500RPM and below.

It sounds kind of funny after youtube compressed it, but hopefully it's still useful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EOJehdy2rk

Thanks for all the help!

 

[KyngofPop]

Sounds like timing chain rattle from worn tensioners to me.

 

[SHOMON]

Timing belt tensioner. Pull the upper cover and start the car. When the one on my 95 ATX went you could see the belt go slack even at idle.

 

[lowc]

i would say it sounds like a cam chain aswell

 

[SHOMON]

Yeah could be the chain, but checking the timing belt on an atx is ***. As opposed to removing the valve covers to check the chain tensioner.

 

[St Louis SHO]

Wheres the car at, Nick?

- James

 

[n2soccer21]

Believe it or not, I'm finally back in St. Louis for a couple weeks! More specifically, it's at 141 and Manchester. Think you could take a look, James?


Thanks!

 

[KyngofPop]

Use a stehescope on the valve cover or kinda feel it with your hand as you rev it, you're gonna be able to tell. I've got a hint of this but nowhere near as loud.

 

[vortex2450]

Cam chain tensioner is my bet, because the sound occurs AFTER you rev it and when the chain is most likely to get slack. See if it's close to the drivers side or pass side of the engine...

-Josh

 

[St Louis SHO]

If youre still driving it, you can bring it up to where I did the mounts on Sunday. Other than that, I'm stupid busy and cant make a trip out there anytime soon.

Believe it or not, I'm finally back in St. Louis for a couple weeks! More specifically, it's at 141 and Manchester. Think you could take a look, James?


Thanks!

 

[n2soccer21]

I think I can manage that. What time works best for you?

 

[St Louis SHO]

I'll be there around 10am, so anytime after that.

 

[Mr Anonymous]

RPM-specific rattles are usually timing belt tensioners (or the crank cancer ), but I agree in this case it's more likely a cam chain tensioner. Sounds to me like the delrin "shoe" is completely worn down or broken off one of the tensioners.

 

[St Louis SHO]

Definitely was the timing belt tensioner. Front 60k and a SHOSource rebuilt tensioner going on as we speak.

 

[n2soccer21]

Once again, James did a great job fixing up my SHO! No more smoke plumes from under the hood, no more engine rattling, very clean under the hood, recharged AC... so much to be grateful for! Thanks!