95 TS Loud Rattling?- NOT Water Pump

Thinking the loud rattling I was hearing in the engine bay was from the water pump, I just finished removing and replacing it only to discover that it wasn't the problem. The sound is exacerbated by turning the steering wheel which suggests it might be a power steering issue. Any ideas from anyone?

Naturally, power stering fluid level has been checked and found to be OK.....or is it? That makes a lot of noise...and after topping up, air bubbles trapped in fluid keep the noise for some time until all is finally evacuated....

Hey LMP- I was hoping you'd reply. I've read a few of your posts and you seem to be the TS guru.

Yes, I checked the PS fluid and it was fine. I have put a couple hundred miles on the car with this noise and the engine temp does not seem affected, nor the steering. The car is running fine but the noise is driving me nuts and I am sure it is symptomatic of something going on...

Since you indicate it worsens when turning steering, I would keep this option alive until proven wrong....mmm....I would simply pull the belt out for a short run/idle test....it would prove or negate at least that one of the rotating parts trained by the belt is the problem....
Once the belt is off, try turning by hand all accessories, PSpump,. the alternator and the a/c compressor pulley....and the tensioner....

In my case it was the tensioner - the arm rotates on some kind of internal "cushion" that gets worn out in time thus getting noisier.

In the GM Service manual it says to replace the tensioner when it becomes to rattle but I can't find any reason to except the damn noise. I took mine down to check it and except a worn-out cushion where the arm connects to the base of the tensioner/engine block there was nothing wrong with it (bearings were fine). I'll consider replacing it's padding instead of replacing the whole unit when the noise will become serious.

Beware that taking the tensioner down and putting it back up is a nerve-racking job and requires some special tools to get done on my engine (the 3.1 TBI). Definitely not a job for the novice. I actually had to call "the neighbourhood mechanic" in the rescue after struggling with it for a whole evening without the proper tools (3+ hours).

I'll try the belt idea this weekend...

Ok... I am yanking what little hair I have left- not good.

I pinpointed the noise to the tensioner area, had a mechanic friend confirm that's where its coming from. Replaced the tensioner- STILL getting the noise. Now the thought is that the front crank shaft pulley (hymonic balancer) is the problem but I'm told only GM has the proper tool needed to fix it. For a lot of reasons, I don't want to bring it to a dealer, but I don't know of any other options.

Thoughts?