I guys/girls
Just got my timing belt changed and all went well.
But have this strange noise when motor is cold,like groaning noise
idle revs with small load (put in drive) and slowly taking off
cant hear it after 1500rpm or when i get to reg temp.
also the colder it is the worse it sounds

Thanks for any advice
Its a tj2

I've got that too...... really annoying on cold mornings :(

I changed the belt (TS 3.0L) myself, got a shock when fired it up first, a groaning noise! Turned out to be the rear cam cover not installed correctly (silly me) and rubbing on the belt. Easily fixed, check yours, who knows . . . . . easy to find too, start it up and put your hand on the rear top plastic belt cover, I could feel the cover vibrate. Feel it all over, don't push too hard as its only thin plasttic (on the TS anyway). If you can't locate the source, go back to the guy who did it, after all you paid good money for the job.

check the accessory belts and make sure there not too tight. other that that it could be alot of other things

Just seems funny its only when its cold (quiet when warm)
thanks mad max will check that and also bellto will check that as well

Could be one of the idler pulleys too. Use the stethoscope trick to check them. When they get old and dry they can groan when cold and quieten down when hot. Did you get them changed when the belt was done? How many Km on the car?

mine does it.... well it has done it the last 100.000kms this time the whole lot will be done as i buy the kit and water pump myself

I had the low groaning sound when engine cold or around 1200rpm on my TL, had been there since I purchased car mid last year. After some thread searching (& eliminating of other potential causes) I narrowed down to the timing belt tensioner - I had this replaced with the timing belt recently and problem has been solved. Sounds like similar or same problem, possibly the tension on the timing belt hasn't been set correctly or the tensioner has failed.

My car does this though its not as bad once I got the timing belt and water pump replaced, but still its rough especially when accelerating gently when cold but the noise dies down once the engine quickly warms up. My car is a TE Magna, original engine (3.0L, 6G72) with 261,800kms.

Rattle for a few seconds when cold is the timing belt tensioner

Groaning, especially when cold is the acc belts, you are best off putting new ones on and getting them tightened up correctly

This is another common issue, if you do not get the tension correct you will get the groan.

I have this noise, plus have had slipping belts, only after the 100k timing belt replacement, did the ac belt too. Took it back and they tightened the belt: apparently the belt tensioner bolt is bent. Would this happen under normal wear or more due to not being re-fitted or tensioned properly?

Rattle for a few seconds when cold is the timing belt tensioner

Groaning, especially when cold is the acc belts, you are best off putting new ones on and getting them tightened up correctly

This is another common issue, if you do not get the tension correct you will get the groan.

Next time I start the car I will put my head under the bonnet and rev it manually to see if it's the belts.... but it sounds like a rattle or bearing kinda sound (like a dead computer fan)

Take the accesory belts off and start it. If the groan is still there you KNOW its the cam idler pulley. If its gone your belts or one of the exterior idler pulleys is to blame. Would be cheaper to fix if it was one of the outer ones though.

Yeah, if it is the internal one, does that get changed with the timing belt change? My car is on 89,000ish so coming up to the 100k service

+ 1 for the AC belt and power steer belt.
If they were changed then i'm guessing this will be the prob.
Had this issue for years in some of my Rada's, Especially my AWD.
Was going to sell it because of it. Had it at Misub under warranty and they replaced everything inc a whole new exhaust from motor right through. They gave up in the end.
Finally found someone who knew what it was and yeah it is just belt tension. And they usually have to be a fair bit tighter than the specs say as well.
They do stretch and need replacing as you will max out the adjuster.

Yeah, if it is the internal one, does that get changed with the timing belt change? My car is on 89,000ish so coming up to the 100k service


That's up to you and yr meKaniK - tell him to change it if its sus.

+1 on accessory drive belt tension.
If too loose they'll groan at low RPM, most noticeable when accelerating from just above idle.

I pulled in to the car park this morning and noticed a new sound coming from my engine - a high pitched squeaking sound that seems like it's a belt. Had the timing belt done with tensioner about 4 weeks back. Could it be that something has been disturbed in the process of getting the t/b done?

Steering belt squeal. Both outside belts need to come off when the timing belt is changed. If its not adjusted correctly it will slip when cornering at low speeds.

Steering belt squeal. Both outside belts need to come off when the timing belt is changed. If its not adjusted correctly it will slip when cornering at low speeds.

Would it be fair to say that the repairer (dealer) should be held responsible for this, if this is the problem?

Would it be fair to say that the repairer (dealer) should be held responsible for this, if this is the problem?
If you just got it done 4 weeks ago then yes, I'd give them a call. Adjusting the accessory and power steering belt tensions is easy, especially on a hoist. 10min job.
If you had new belts fitted then they will initially stretch and should be re-tensioned after a week or two.

Another person with the same problem. Mine was fitted last week by a referred machanic. I used a Gates bearing and belt kit. The only thing not in the kit was the hydaulic tensioner. Bearings and so forth were in it. I've been told it sounds like a colapsed bearing on the bank closest to the firewall.
Spoke to parts supplier who had never had this happen before with a Gates. Now the discussion surrounds who is going to pay to rectify this????

Has anyone else had a new bearing colapse on them?

Have you checked to see if the hydraulic tensioner has been set correctly? if it hasn't you'll have heaps of slack in the belt.

just a bump to say great thread. we had a low rev-high load groaning noise after a mechanic did the timing belt change - got out the tools last night and tightened the alternator/A/C drivebelt, and it's all gone!

thanks again AMC :)

I just recently changed the timing belt on mine and it groaned for the first 5000kms but now its all gone :D

I guys/girls
Just got my timing belt changed and all went well.
But have this strange noise when motor is cold,like groaning noise
idle revs with small load (put in drive) and slowly taking off
cant hear it after 1500rpm or when i get to reg temp.
also the colder it is the worse it sounds

Thanks for any advice
Its a tj2

Yes I had the same groaning rumbling noise when the engine was cold after a timing belt change and at first I thought that it was the auto transmission but thanks to this forum I readjusted the AC/Alternator belt and now all is quiet again.