Rattling Noise From Timing Belt Cover(help)

[SL33K]

Hey guyz. I recently replaced my timing Belt and waterpump at a workshop here in perth.

it used to whine after the service, but since i dont know much bout cars i thought its was normal.

After about 3weeks (today). I am hearing a loud rattling/knocking sound from the timing belt cover. I was half way to work in armadale from bentley at 5:30AM in the morning. so i had no choice but to drive it. i stopped at a gas station to check it out and noticed that the sound goes away when i REV the engine to 2000RPM and if i let go it starts rattling around 1000 RPM.

I have parked the car in teh garage and havent used it since then. But the last time it was running(when i got home from work). the rattling was there and when REVin the engine over 1000RPM the rattling dissappears and it had this weird squeky noise from the timing belt the whole time.

I am Scared for my car:(

What do you guys think the problem is? the engine runs fine apart from the noises. No shaking or anything.

I dont wanna use it till i know its ok.

Do you guyz think the workshop will have to pay for any damage if its caused by the work they did? or if its somethin gone loose because they made it too tight do you think i have to pay for it?

I cant go to work without my car.

Cheers

[76GTR]

Hi, Get them to look at it. The last thing you want is something to happen eg: timming belt loose or too tight or harmonic balancer loose.

Regards

Clynton

[SL33K]

yeah man gonna take it back, it does sound like somethin is very loose

has anyone had this problem?

BTW the rattling sound is Very Very loud, too loud. I can even hear it with music playing loud.

[GTR-N1]

The soft whining noise is normal after the timing belt change.

THE RATTLING NOISE IS DEFINITELY NOT!!! IT MIGHT EVEN BE A GOOD IDEA TO GET YOUR MECHANIC TO TOW YOUR CAR BACK TO HIS PLACE AT HIS EXPENSE! OR WILL YOUR ROAD SERVICE MEMBERSHIP DO THAT FOR YOU?

The mechanic can tell how few Kms you've done since the timing belt replacement till now. He should acknowledge that his work is not complete or worse. If you're intimidated by him or his age, take someone older down there with you. Talk nicely to him whilst your older friend dresses up in pinstripes and looks like a lawyer. Your friend will also be perceived by your mechanic as your witness.

[Duncan]

yeah don't drive it mate....if there is really something wrong and you make it worse/it lets go while you are driving it a cheap fix could turn very expensive and the mechanic may start arguing about costs.

as for cause.....do you run a timing belt cover? most likely is a foreign object at the bottom the the belt like a nut or washer or rock. Very likely to kill the motor if it gets caught in the gears. could be timing belt idler or tensioner incorrectly adjusted (BTW contrary to recent experience on here, it is the fault of the person that did it up, not the owner, if it is too tight). Possibly balancer loose. Could be adjustable timing gears loose too if you have them but it would idle like crap as well).

In any case....tow to the mechanic and have them fix it.

[SL33K]

thanx Terry and Duncan.

Yeah i will call the guyz up and ask them if they will TOW it. if not i will just end up towing it my self.

Will also take friend there with me, But the guyz are cool at the workshop they might not even argue and just do it. Coz i have only driven less than 700Kms after the change.

Duncan yeah sounds like somethin is gone loose but do you think what ever is gone loose is still in place coz the rattling dissappears at high revs and come back at exactly 1000Rpm. Can it be a pulley?

Thanx a lot Guyz.

Feel a bit better. hope i havent damaged anythin since the motor was still running fine.

[SL33K]

was just checking the engine bay. lol

so i thought of knocking the timingbelt cover with my hand. I knocked the Upper Cover and there was nothin. sounded like a plastic thing

I knocked the top of the lower cover and it sounded weird like somethin is loose. I checked the R33 repair manual and under teh spot i knocked my hand lies the tensnioner and idler pully's. what do u guys think? if they are loose then how come the timing belt dint come off?

Cheers

[Duncan]

mate just get it towed to the mechanic who did the work.

right now they are liable for labour to fix it assuming they have made a mistake of some sort. If you start the motor and it lunches itself you will have to argue about who is liable for a $5000 rebuild. don't risk it for the sake of $50 tow truck bill.

[SL33K]

yeah mate, i understand. havent turned it on since saturday. I just hope they can book my car for tomorrow

[SL33K]

YaY. Got it fixed, They towed it and replaced a New Blue gates racing timing belt for free. They didnt charge me n e thing. Nice blokes.

The bolt that hold the tensioner Pulley snapped and i was lucky i didnt drive it. Coz the timing belt was damaged a bit too. But it was still in place.

Now all is fixed.

Very Very Happy

[Duncan]

good to hear, that is a great outcome. now buy a lotto ticket

[SL33K]

lol hahaha, maybe i shud