Hi,

I recently bought a KL verada gtvi with 90,000k on the clock. I have had some little niggles here and there and recently stumbled upon yet another one. There is a rattle that can only be heard when the car is at running temp and seems to be coming from the drivers side of the engine. I think it might be something to do with the belt/tensioners but I don't really know. Add this issue to having to overhaul the transmission because of the wavesrping breaking, fitting new TCL solenoids (TCL OFF + Engine Light showing) and replacing the thermostat, I am starting to worry about every little thing :confused:. This is my first car so if you guys could help me that would be great.

NOTE: The noise is not present on start up/when cold. I haven't been able to try and solve the problem due to school and everything but I found a video with the exact noise coming from a TJ Magna
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2etAW8MX3oU

I have the same noise on my TJ. It's been there since I got it at 90k, now at 190k. Hasn't gotten any worse. Mostly goes away if I shut down a particular injector or pull a spark plug lead. I suspect it is either piston slap or a connecting rod bearing. Won't do it when cold as the oil is thicker and takes up the gap/cushions the noise. Also goes away with the revs up a bit as that pumps more oil into the motor rasing the oil pressure. I found it is always quieter with new oil since oil gets thinner with use.

I think the theory is that pistons expand with heat so it shouldn't be piston slap.
Also I've read that if a connecting rod bearing makes such noise it won't be long before it gets much worse which contradicts your car having the issue for 100,000km now.

It may be the pulley bearings?

Thanks for the advice/replies. I'll check it out tomorrow and inform on how it goes. I assume it's ok to drive as it has been there for a while

The noise seems to be loudest underneath the engine near the sump. Very puzzling :/

NOTE: The noise is not present on start up/when cold. I haven't been able to try and solve the problem due to school and everything but I found a video with the exact noise coming from a TJ Magna
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2etAW8MX3oU

Had exactly the same noise from my old TH - Hydraulic Cam Belt tensioner failing - I thought the whole engine was going to explode when it got hot and on hard pulls up hills etc.

The good news is if it is the tensioner your engine is pretty safe the belt is very unlikely to slip, but as the Cam Belts etc need doing at 100,000Km - save a few $ for a big service - get the belt, tensioner and all the recommended other replacements (Water Pump, Idler pulleys seals etc) done and you're good for another 1000,000Km

Otherwise buy ear plugs - and ignore it - except maybe the big bang when you go WAY past 100,000Km

...get the belt, tensioner and all the recommended other replacements (Water Pump, Idler pulleys seals etc) done and you're good for another 1000,000Km...

Good for a million kilometres! That's some kit!! Sorry, couldn't resist. My TJ has had a similar noise, perhaps a bit quieter, for as long as I've owned it (about 90,000km). It hasn't changed at all and doesn't sound like anything's too out of whack, hoping whatever it is will be sorted in the next belt/tensioner/pump replacement in 15,000km or so (which will be at 300,000).

Had exactly the same noise from my old TH - Hydraulic Cam Belt tensioner failing - I

Did it go away when you shutdown a cylinder (by stopping injector or pulling plug lead)? I don't think it is the tensioner for this reason.

I think I'm just gonna put some injector clearer and engine cleaner through the system but, most of all, give the car a major service. The belt was changed for me by the previous owner's mechanic but I'm not sure it was done properly. I really hope it's not something internal to the engine and I'm leaning away from that primarily because of where the sound is coming from (drivers side of engine, low down near the sump)

Did it go away when you shutdown a cylinder (by stopping injector or pulling plug lead)? I don't think it is the tensioner for this reason.

didn't try that - replacing the tensioner made the problem go away.

didn't try that - replacing the tensioner made the problem go away.

I'm doing my timing belt soon. How do you check if the tensioner is ok?

Thanks again for all your input guys. It turns out the timing belt was in fact changed before I bought the car but I think that they didn't replace the water pump, pulleys etc. like I said before, a major service is needed

I'm doing my timing belt soon. How do you check if the tensioner is ok?

Well while it isn't a conclusive test - when you take all the covers off to see the tensoner - tickle the engine over while cold - onlt a revolution or two - make a cuppa and 10 minutes later look and see if the piston on tensioner is still extended - if so it it is probably ok - if the arm that the tensioner pushes on is against the tensioner housing - it is probably toast.

Having said that - there is idle pulley for the cam belt which is used to adjust the gap on the tensioner when a new belt and tensioner are installed (It has an offset axle) if that was installed wrongly all of the above is rubbish....