WIERD ENGINE RATTLE AT IDLE 98 gtp SC

[snappy52]

Hello all and thanks for having such an informative site. Recently joined and appreciate what the site has to offer.I have a 1998 Pontiac GTP 4 door with a supercharged engine. I love this car and want to keep it. I have had it since it was new. With that said, I am hoping you can help me with a wierd engine rattle I am having within the engine compartment. Here is the best I can describe it.... while at idle and with the vehicle in gear I am getting a rattle sound. It appears to be coming from the top part of the engine however I cant pinpoint it exactly. I have heard about the superchargers developing a rattle after some time. This is driving me crazy...I hate the sound it makes and I dont want to keep driving it for fear something is going to fly apart. Can anyone give me some sound advise on diagnosing and or repairing this situation.Or someone that knows what there doinf with it in Northern New Jersey area....thanks again Snappy
(3.8 liter supercharged 1998 gtp)

[BNaylor]

Welcome to AF.

If it is supercharger coupler rattle the noise will be prevalent at the snout area and forward part of the main body. Just remove the SC drive belt, fire it up and see if the rattle disappears.