As all of us know, the dread cold growl/rattle from 3rd Gen V6's around 1100rpm when cold(ish) is a common Magna-ism.

However, I noticed that my TS V6 is doing the same thing. It is not as loud as some 3rd gens that I've heard, but it is definitely the same sound and occurs at the same revs, same conditions (more when cold rather than warmed up).

The timing belt kit was done at 200,000km as prescribed. It was running perfectly for a few months, then noticed the growl starting to happen randomly a couple of months ago, but now it happens all the time when cold.

From reading all the 3rd gen cold growl posts, I believe that a tensioner needs to be tightened to solve the noise.

I've got the car going in to the workshop on Tuesday, so, if anyone could please help by saying exactly which tensioner, or even a more specific name, that would be awesome. I understand the 2nd gen & 3rd gen G672 are the same engine but mounted in opposite orientation, but unfortunately I don't have the knowledge to know if the actual pulleys & belt paths are the same.

Thanks very much
Justin

There are three tensioners on the TS V6 - cam belt, air con belt and one on the steering pump/alternator belt. It could be any one of these. Start the car from cold and place a large screwdriver near one of the belt tensioners on a non moving part, and place the handle of the screwdriver against your ear or clench it between your teeth - it acts like a stethoscope and will tell you which bearing is growling. If they are ok, turn the engine off, remove both belts and start the engine up. If the growl is still there it is your cam belt tensioner pulley bearing. Turn engine off and replace belts. Wash hands. Good luck. Report your findings to your mechanic.

Check your records - was the cam belt tensioner pulley replaced when the belt was done?
If not, that's probably the one. Costly! Either of the other 2 are cheap and easy to replace.
I have a TS V6 with 230,000Km on it - all 3 tensioners are noisy! I'm leaving it until I do a belt replacement in about 20,000 (because I don't know if the previous owner did the 200,000 change), then replace the whole lot.

Just remembered - some belts when new tend to growl a bit when cold naturally. You mention it is a growl/rattle? If the growl is accompanied by a rattle - like marbles in a tin can - then it is definitely a bearing.

THanks for that MadMax, it's not a marbles-in-a-tin-can sound, thankfully, only just noticeable, the rattle.

Thanks so much for your info -- I shall attempt the stethoscope screwdriver method.

Much appreciated