Help identifying rattle

[ShadowElky]

I have been hearing an intermittent rattle that is coming from the front of the engine. As far as I can remember it is only there until it warms up. And the sound goes away. Now, when I checked my timing I did notice that the mark wandered a little. Could the rattle just be a worn timing chain?

Sent from my DROID RAZR using AutoGuide.Com Free App

[darbysan]

Since it goes away when warm, my first thought was the EFE valve, but that's on the passenger side of the exhaust.

No idea on the Chain- maybe others will chime in.

[ShadowElky]

The previous owner removed the plate inside my EFE valve. That or it fell off. Only know due to custom exhaust, looked up at it when the took the y-pipe off. Used the old hose and ear trick and pinpointed the sound to the timing cover, so it is my chain.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using AutoGuide.Com Free App

[JJLT1]

timing chain can rattle against cover, cant see why it would only do it cold tho.. anythings possible.
same general location also are the waterpump bearings??

[ShadowElky]

Just noticed that it is there when warm, but not when I give it throttle, and it was coming from the timing cover when I used the hose to ear trick..

Sent from my DROID RAZR using AutoGuide.Com Free App

[mugzilla]

I just had a fan clutch freeze and the noise will change w/ temp. Wiggle fan and spin it looking for play, sticking, looseness. Take off fan belts check for noise.

[woody31]

Take a long...real long extension and place it directly on the timing chain covwr itself...
i would bet it is a fuel pump issue...

[steelybill]

Yeah, could be fuel pump related. I've seen only one time that the chain was slapping the cover enough to make noise, and it wore through the cover, which leaked oil. Likely many hi-miler engines have worn/loose chains.

[ShadowElky]

Two questions:
1) On a computer controlled carb and dizzy set-up, is there anything I need to disconnect when checking timing?
2) With everything connected (didn't know what to disconnect if anything) the timing at idle when I checked fluctuated a little around 0 degrees. Is that normal?

Sent from my DROID RAZR using AutoGuide.Com Free App

[HKDUP87]

You need to unplug the three or four wire plug behind the dizzy and firewall it's one on the passenger side. I think the other plug is a 2-wire. You can't time it plugged in except for total timing I believe. Then you need to disconnect the battery to clear the codes.

[ShadowElky]

Just went out to try and get a video of it so ya'll could hear it. Truck has been parked for almost 3 hours and its 37° out. Started it up. Nothing, no tap, idled fine other than the lifter noises.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using AutoGuide.Com Free App

[ShadowElky]

Originally Posted by HKDUP87

You need to unplug the three or four wire plug behind the dizzy and firewall it's one on the passenger side. I think the other plug is a 2-wire. You can't time it plugged in except for total timing I believe. Then you need to disconnect the battery to clear the codes.

You mean the plug that goes from the distributor into jumble of wiring harness? The one that connects to the ignition module?


Sent from my DROID RAZR using AutoGuide.Com Free App

[ShadowElky]

I read somewhere last night that to check for a worn timing chain to take the motor to TDC, then remove the distributor cap and turn the crank by hand til the rotor just starts to move. If it turns more than 5-10 degrees (according to what I read) then it is worn. Could the same effect be achieved by getting the motor to where the timing mark on the balancer lines up with the 0° mark and then turning the motor over by hand (not using a wrench or socket) til it stops? Atleast the way I see it the stop would be where the chain starts to turn the cam and without leverage you wouldnt be able to turn the crank and cam

Sent from my DROID RAZR using AutoGuide.Com Free App

[JJLT1]

"turning the motor over by hand" means not with the starter,, use a socket and ratchet on the crank bolt..

turn the crank clockwise to tdc or 0 on the tab,, then turn it backwards till the rotor just moves,,
then count the degrees you turned it backwards on the tab.. try it 2-3 times for a average..

to set the timing unplug the 4 wire connector to the distributor,, this disables the computer advance..
set the timing to 0 for factory specs,, sometimes you can run a little more depending on the motor..
then kill the motor,, plug in the dist.,, reset the computer codes,, start it up,, check the timing just for referance..
let us know what you find..

[ShadowElky]

What I meant by not using a rachet and socket was literally turning it by hand, as in both hands on the pulley and turning it. And the rattle has not been heard in 3 days. Maybe it was the old oil and cold weather?

Sent from my DROID RAZR using AutoGuide.Com Free App