99 dodge Caravan rattling when cold

Seems like a lot of Caravans have this problem but I have yet to find an answer, I found this post here that was made over a year ago and nobody answered it so I’m just going to add a little info of my own and repost it.
My 1999 Caravan has 100000+ miles on it and over the last 2000 it has gradually developed a rattling sound when cold that is really annoying. It only occurs when cold and only at idle speed (800-1200 rpm). It sounds as if some accessory is about to fall off. I think I may have isolated it, I think it’s near the water pump belt. its on the passenger side and has pulleys. When cold the idle speeds seems to drop and the noise starts if I give it a little gas it goes away, I can also see the belt slow down along with the idle speed and the belt looks kind of jerky while it’s making the noise, Then the idle will pick up and the noise stops, it will slow again and start back up, once it warms up it goes away . I replaced the belt about 9 months ago it wasn’t long after that the noise started. As I write this I wonder if maybe the belt has came lose? Has anybody experienced similar noise and figured out what it is?
Thanks.

sounds like an idler pully (pully that does not connect to anything, provides tension on the belt) is going bad, alternator going bad, power steering pump going bad, go to the parts store, get an automotive stethascope and a manual on the van, while the noise is there use the stethascope to find what part the noise is coming from (CAUTION!!! do not get caught in a moving part), use the manual to determine which part is bad

cool thanks, do you know me? cuz it would be just like me to caught in the fan! lol

sounds like an idler pully (pully that does not connect to anything, provides tension on the belt) is going bad, alternator going bad, power steering pump going bad, go to the parts store, get an automotive stethascope and a manual on the van, while the noise is there use the stethascope to find what part the noise is coming from (CAUTION!!! do not get caught in a moving part), use the manual to determine which part is bad


After thinking about this wouldn't the steering pump make this noise all the time? this is for sure only when it's cold as soon as it warms up even a little the sound is gone not to be heard again until most times the next day after the van has sit long enough to get cold.
Thanks again,
tricks

Idler OR tensioner could make this noise also.

GL

DNO

rare it would be a PS pump, they will usually whin, if they rattle it has already expeled the fluid and will lock up soon, very soon

That's true about the pump but wouldn't that pully make the noise cold or hot?

nope, cols it is loose, warms up and tightens up

The area that the noise is coming from is on the passenger side of the block, do you think if I took a pic of the belt anyone could tell which belt it is? I could post it on webshots or something,
Thanks...

Tricks

Let's go here Tricks,
Which engine do you have?? It did not see it listed.
Also, if you have a spring tensioner, like the 3.3L has, they usually show the belt riding to the front of the pulley when they have the bearing go bad, when the spring goes, it'll just slip.

(o:

DNO.

P.S. - Also, if you take the belt off, try turning each pulley and see if one of them is unusually stiff. But this should cause the squeal be more prominent at start-up and fully hot both. Just an idea.

DNO.

Hey DNO,
I'll have to look but I'm almost sure it is the 3.3 there is no squeal and the belt does look like it slips, it looks jerky when the sound starts which is a rattle sound and again once it warms just a little sound is gone.
thanks
Tricks

OK Tricks, I just went out on this 38 degree morning and started both of our 3.3's.

They do both kind of rattle on the passenger front side. The injector sounds are there as well.

I guess it is just something I've gotten used to.
BTW......in 900K+ miles I have NEVER had to replace an injector on these vans.

(o:

DNO.