Engine rattling noise from front of engine

[Elizabeth Ybarra]

I have a 2003 suzuki XL7 4wd 2.7L. With noise coming from the front of the engine, its a rattling sound that increases as the engine rpm’s goes up. The sound does not go away even if the car is hot or cold. Car has 110,000 miles. Don’t know what to do, the dealer wants to charge me $150 just to listen to it. I would like to get a couple of opinions to see what I should do. If you need any other information let me know

Thank you banana:

Topic

[dan]

does the rattling sound like its coming from the inside or outside of the engine? might not even be the engine, sometimes things pop loose in the engine compartment and engine vibrations make rattles…

if you can make a video so i can here the noise maybe that would assist us a little better, lots of things can make a rattle.

[Elizabeth Ybarra]

I notice when I used my mechanic stethoscope I heard it coming from behind the front engine area and the very front part of the passenger valve cover, it is definitely internal. I wish I was capable of uploading a video but my camera is not working right now but as soon as I have can I could upload it. I do appreciate your quick response. Thank you

[Steven Cummings]

Can you be more specific on the sound? How is the performance of the engine?

[Tri9SS]

I have heard that these cars have had problems with the timing chain tensioner. can someone else verify that as a possible problem? Here is a video, does yours (eybarra) sound like this, hope this helps https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlvJn27KoTY you may have to copy and past.

[Elizabeth Ybarra]

Kingmeander the video is the sound my car is making

Yes, Tri9SS that is how my car sounds too. Thank you for finding that

Does this mean that it has something to do with my timing chain?

[Steven Cummings]

It does sound possible to be a loose timing chain (metal on metal rattling, but it is fuzzy). It can be an indepth job to replace the tensioner (about 1-2 days work for a shadetree mechanic) depending on how many parts need replaced and if you have special tools available (mainly pulleys). I’d advise using the car sparingly if you have a bad tensioner. Also, make sure only dealer parts are used. I did some quick reading on this problem, and most have worse experiences with aftermarket parts.

If you don’t want to do the work, most places will not charge the diagnosis if they do the work on a job like this.

[dan]

i agree, that sounds like some sort of loose chain, it is possible that you have one especually if this engine has a DOHC or SOHC where the chain drives the camshafts on the cylinder heads rather than a cam pushing on lifters and pushrods in the center, the longer chain could have a bunch of slack and slap and rattle inside the engine… but don’t assume that, you can also use a big fat screwdriver or extension and put it agenst parts under the hood that rotate when the engine is running, just be carful with that cooling fan there

i would put a stethascope or as i said a fat extension or screwdriver and poke it around and have a listen on the front of the engine near where the cam and crank sprockets for the cam chain are, and if its loudest there i would NOT dilly dally on getting the tension checked on that chain, if this puppy is a interference valve engine, you could find yourself getting a new engine rather than a chain or a chain tensioner if a chain skips and a cam goes too far out of time.

there is also this, keep us posted man 🙂

[video]http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mpNRJ7m-c8[/video]

[EricTheCarGuy]

Based on what I’m reading I’m with the group in that it does sound like a timing chain issue. That said, you may have to at least remove the valve cover to inspect it. I’m going to post this as well just for good measure.

http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/diagnosing-noises-in-your-car

Good luck and keep us posted on what you find.

[Elizabeth Ybarra]

Thank you all for the information. Once I remedy the situation, I will give you an update.

[Author]

Replies