Wierd rattle noise behind idler pulley

We have a 2000 saturn sc1 and for the last couple of days we have been hearing a wierd rattle noise on the passenger side of the vehicle. So we took of the tire and looked and found where the noise is coming from but we were wondering what it is called. It's the little plastic thing behind the idler pulley? Is it something to do with the tensioner. Just wondering so we can get it fixed. Thanks. :smokin:

Sounds like that wasn't the Idler pulley you are describing. The Idler Pulley is located on the top center of the Timing cover. The Belt Tensioner is located beneath the Power Steering pump and has a plastic pivot. When the tensioner goes bad, it makes a rattling type noise like the one you described. I would start with replacing the tensioner, since the Idler pulley makes more of a "groaning" type sound when it goes bad.

check link -> http://www.saturnfans.com/photos/showphoto.php/photo/8177/

idler or tensioner?

If you look at the picture on the link that sierra has on here, it is the tensioner pulley. The actual rattle noise is coming from the plastic pivot piece. So what do I actually have to purchase and replace. The pivot piece or is that included with the tensioner pulley? This is my first saturn. Not a pro yet. Thanks for the info. I sure do appreciate it.

to the best of my knowage the tensioner is sold as an assmbily

http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24989

Sierra is right, The tensioner assy. needs to be replaced. 2 10mm bolts hold it in if you are planning on replacing it yourself