Something is still loose
 

3 months ago, I had the timing chain cover taken off, cleaned and a new gasket installed and the tensioner shock replaced since I had the very common leaking everyone has heard about on the M103's.

I was wondering though, the loose noise I am hearing is the timing chain tensioner? It is a very hard sound to describe. It eminates from the front end of the car, it happens in 2nd and 3rd gear from around 1500-3000 rpm. It stops above that and there is no loss of power or anything like that.

Car also has passed it's emissions test with flying colours and I mean flying colours!!! It barely recorded any NOX's!!!!

My transmission cooler lines are corroded badly. I have ordered a new set of lines/trans filter kit/gasket for $214.50 CAN$

This noise is so very hard to describe. It is almost a very light ratcheting noise but very soft aswell.

Odometer reads 152 000kms as I write this...

Please offer anything you can guys!!!! thank you

The closest thing I can describe it to is a kind of metallic stretching sound or like opening an old wooden door and the hinges have a deep pitched stretching sound.....

I am certain it must be either the timing chain tensioner or the shock (possibly out of spec? bad bushing?)

What do you guys suggest here?

Is there anything I could do to help determine the cause?

I do not have a scope but, have plenty of time on my hands after my co-op job....

Please advise.

Mike McKinney

Check the shock on the serpintine belt tensioner. The bushings get hard and crack and it makes a ticking sound usuallt at idle but I wouldn't rule out other engine speeds or loads.

The shock is new on the serpentine belt tensioner.

I believe the bushing is new also although I will check my service receipt to make sure.

I am thinking this noise could be something else in the serpentine belt pulley system? Are there shocks/tensioners to look at ???

I would think the timing chain tensioner would be louder and rougher than this sound I am hearing???

Much thanks for responding JDUB.

Any other tips for me??? I would really appreciate it.

Thanks


Mike McKinney:)

ck shock on belt tensioner--Again
 

Did a shop do the repair for you ?? If you paid for new shock and new tensioner then I would go back and insist that they re-work it and make it right. When correct this belt is "silent".

A think new shock would normally come with new bushings in it. Call Phil at partsshop and confirm that this is so. The sound you describe is a lot like I remember when I had a top bushing with some play in it. While idling carefully push (with pressure of 5 lbs or so) on the top bushing using a long handled tool --- If you can feel any movement or if the sound changes you can tell if the bushing is worn. I'm suspicous that they may have re-used parts. Is that a possiblity? If they re-used the tensioner it may be set up too tight. I shared my experience about re-using and setting tension on the tensioner in another post recently. Do a search for DanielW posts and it will come up.

Another possible is that an idler pully has a bad bearing and is about to go out, or a fan clutch bearing. Is there any noise from twirling the fan ?(With engine OFF, of course)

Good luck,

DanielW 89 300E