Hi All,

Hoping for some pointers with this one,

From cold(usually), a rattle sounds like a bearing to me personally but is coming from front of motor. Drivers side.

Only until warm, and only really noticeable between 1500-2500, rattle gets louder/faster as revs increase.

Is somewhat intermittent, sometimes really bad, others not so bad and sometimes not there(usually when the mechanic is looking at it :P)

Any ideas from any of you owners on what it is, could be or more information let me know

Thanks guys

Most likely the Hydraulic Tensioner. Noise coming from front drivers side, around the middle somewhere?

Yeah as best as i can tell, that was my initial thought. When are they due for timing change???? According to the owner there mechanic had been instructed to complete log book services on the car. IIRC 90k mark is timing???

There is a test for a bad timing chain tensioner - from memory on a cold motor you disconnect the crank angle sensor, then crank the engine over for a few seconds, then reconnect the CAS and start the car. If the sound is gone then it is the tensioner. This test allows the tensioner to take up the tension in the chain before the engine starts.
But like I say, it's only from memory so do a search and you should find the exact details.
My TL has a pretty noticeable 'growl' from 1200 to 1400rpm until the engine is warmed and apparently comes from the accessory drive belts which I gather is due to incorrect tension on the belts. Good Luck.

Could also be worn lifters.

Is the noise still there when the engine is warm?

Have you checked oil levels to ensure it's right on the full mark?

Yeah mate, did an oil change and filter last weekend. The issue is really inconsistent and is only just starting to become apparent while driving. I have a feeling it is a bearing/tensioner somewhere in that front end as that is where the noise is from, hoping like hell its not bottom end bearings though.

UPDATE: I have noticed that when the car decides to make the noise if I move it out of the garage it stops. Not sure if that is because load has been applied to the motor or if its a gearbox thing???

Could also be that when it is in the Garage, the walls reverberate the sound making it seem louder? Once it comes out in the open the sound lessens as it does not have a chance to echo any more?

I'm experiencing similar issues and have been told to check the divider in the engine pipe which comes loose and can get stuck in the cat. Not sure if this is your issue but letting you know nonetheless.

Depends on the km on the engine. Could be exhaust pipe divider, any of the belt idlers, or hydraulic tensioner on the cam belt.
My TJ at 115,000 km was making the rattle, but only after a cam belt change and new ancillary belts. I knew it wasn't the hydraulic tensioner or drive belt pulley bearings, but I finally tracked it down and fixed it.

The ancillary drive belts need to be really tight to stop them from flapping about and making noise, the front pulley with it's adjuster and centre lock bolt was to blame, it was slightly misaligned. Easy to fix, back off the adjuster bolt and then see if the centre bolt is still tight, mine wasn't. Repeating this - backing off the adjuster slightly and tightening the centre bolt - a few times aligned the pulley correctly and now there is no noise when cold. An easy thing to check, worth doing before you pull things apart further.

Thanks mate, think thats going to be my first port make sure the alt and pwr steer belts and pulleys ect are all sorted. Im just so lazy, I used to love doing this sort of stuff but as I am getting older I am more and more complacent. Its really bad. Thanks for the input Mad I will make sure to have a look at that.

I'm just so lazy, I used to love doing this sort of stuff but as I am getting older I am more and more complacent. Its really bad.



lol Join the "I used to be keen but now I can't be stuffed" club. I'm a member! lol And as if you didn't know, its age creeping up on you that does this!

Yeah ok so new development which may or may not be related, Due to the fact that I am a stingy bastard, I rarely have my A/C on. This afternoon on the way home I gave the car a bootfull, and at about 5500-6000rpm my belt made a little squeak. I rarely do this and even more rarely with my A/C on, although only time its ever done it. Any suggestions? Not sure if its also relevant but my fuel consumption is way up there at 19l/100 atm.

It's normal for the belt to slip a little after coming off WOT at high revs. The ac compressor clutch disengages at WOT. The squeal is the clutch engaging as you come off WOT.

The ancillary drive belts need to be really tight to stop them from flapping about and making noise, the front pulley with it's adjuster and centre lock bolt was to blame, it was slightly misaligned. Easy to fix, back off the adjuster bolt and then see if the centre bolt is still tight, mine wasn't. Repeating this - backing off the adjuster slightly and tightening the centre bolt - a few times aligned the pulley correctly and now there is no noise when cold. An easy thing to check, worth doing before you pull things apart further.
My TH 3.5L also has a noticeable growl at about 1200-1400... you can still hear it a little after the engine has warmed up but it's not as loud. My mechanic tells me that "that's the way it is with Magna engines", and other responses I've had over the 7 years (yep, had the issue since about 110k) range from "what noise?" to *shrug*.

I'm mechanically inclined but not very experienced under the bonnet, but I reckon this is something I can do. Whereabouts is the pulley(s) whose locking bolt I need to check?

I had more of a rattle at around 1200-1400 rpm under load in any gear, but could not be heard in neutral. Replaced the alternator and the noise disappeared so I am very happy now. It was very embarrassing coming out the work car park.

The pulley adjustor bolt is behind the oil filter and and tightening bolt is on the pulley it self. It is best accessed if you take of the plastic inner fender cover.

Hope that helps!

For starters it is NOT normal for a belt to slip after coming off WOT :nuts: comments like this will often cause people to ignore a potential issue and then end up with broken parts

First of all, remove both your ps and your alt/ac belts, check them for cracking and also check that they are not too worn. If you want to play it safe, replace both of them.

When you tighten them, make sure they are nice and firm so there is NO slipping. Often the cold groan will be the pulleys and the belts, this has been an issue on many a car especially Magna's with these flat serpentine belts.

Your fuel consumption, is that you calculating the consumption or is this from a trip comp. Your consumption is way too high unles you drive with your foot buried all of the time

Just to add to the above, if you have NFI how tight these belts should be, go down to you local Mitsu dealer, pretend you are interested in a new car, stick your head under the bonnet, and press on the belts. They are set up unbelievably tight in the factory.

Unlike the second Gen V6, the third Gen engine will make weird noises if the belts are flapping about. Trust me on this. Despite their tightness, the belts last a long time, in excess of 100,000 km. Doesn't seem to hurt the various bearings involved either.