Weird metal rattling sound

[ajm786]

Ok guys, I bought a harmonic balancer, and I'm going to have the mechanic install it as soon as it gets here. I will update and let you all know how it goes.

[ajm786]

Update:

Got the harmonic balancer, and took it to the mechanic to install. At the last minute, he said it would not be worth it to install, because the harmonic balancer is not the problem; the issue is the TIMING CHAIN. He said it probably got too loose or something, and that I should change that as well as the timing chain tensioner.

Does this sound accurate now?

Does anyone have a write-up on what I need to buy and how to install the new timing chain? Part/procedure recommendation would be very helpful.

Thanks for your help!

[thisnametooktolong]

YES it does.

I think I understand the noise you are describing. I have heard more than a few 3800 making a clang from the front because of a harmonic balancer getting loose and clanging back and forth.

I have also heard a nasty clanging noise from the chain. It sounds different but would not be able to tell the difference unless I had discovered the situation before. The two noises sound nothing alike. The Balancer is very loud and sharp. The chain is more subdued and a deeper sounding like a very bad 2.5l GM with a supper supper bad and loud cam shaft bushing. Mixed in with a little metal to metal rubbing.
But usually by the time the chain makes that much noise it is time for a new cover because the chain and the shoe have eaten its way into the cover.

Arent noises fun to describe>


Hmmm procedure without a year? no problem..... just let me know if the power steering pump is in the front or the back down lowe. Besides that it is all the same, support the engine to get the mount out of the way. Get everything off the front. remove the cover. remove chain. replace the button, the shoe and the chane/sprokets. Make sure not to forget the keyway, and point the sprocket dots at eachother, and if you cant get that one bolt out far enough to pull the assembly with the rear lower mounted power steering pump in place. Cry for about an hr, get drunk. Sober up and pull that the next day. and you dont have to pull the water pump. there are no hidden bolts. So the one water pump bolt that goes through the timming cover and cant be pulled because the steering pump pully is in th way is not a problem just box end wrench it but some you have to.

[ajm786]

I bought a camshaft bolt, as well as the harmonic balancer bolt. Will I need these to do the job (since they are TTY)? I just received the timing parts.

Thanks!

[ajm786]

Update:

Changed the timing chain, following instructions completely to the letter. Dotted all the i's and crossed all the t's.

It's still doing the same thing. The timing chain change made no difference at all.

I took it to another local mechanic (Rising Sun Motors) and had them look at it while they did the CASE relearn for me. They had their two most senior technicians look at my car. What are the possibilities they came up with?

1. The oil pan has a slight dent in it. This is causing the oil pickup gears to resonate throughout the engine.
2. It's definitely a moving part, WITHIN the motor.
3. It could be a piston skirt coming loose, but they quickly shot that down after they asked if I tried unplugging one spark coil at a time while the car was running to see if it made a difference in noise.
4. It can't be lifters, because my idle would be much rougher.
5. It can be rockers, valve springs, or something in the valves?

So here I am now. All this work and suffering, and back to square one.

I really don't want to give this up. It's the only car I have, and I've hit a rough financial patch, which will be MUCH worse if I don't have this car.

Another thought that I have. Could it possibly be the oil pump???

Help a buddy out.

Thanks.

[ajm786]

Update:

Swapped engine from another car. The knocking sound is GONE. Finally!

But an original sound remains. Sounds like a bunch of marbles being rattled around around the driver side of the engine bay. It's definitely the exhaust/transmission, but I can't determine where/how.

Any ideas?

[HotZ28]

Usually the sound of "marbles" rotating around in metal, would be a defective cat! You may have a broken or clogged cat as the one shown below!