Re: E36 323i timing chain rattle

>The belts where changed a little while ago, but I would be surprised if >they could make that sort of noise with a rubber belt, unless there is >actually stuff floating around inside them, but then it would happen at >all temperatures.

He's suggesting that the bearings on the belt idlers are worn and that the balls aren't quite round any more. When the engine is cold and the grease is caked up, the balls rattle around. When things warm up and the grease softens, it's okay.

There are two ways to tell if this is the problem.... first is to take some 5mm fuel hose, put one end in your ear and wave the other end around in the engine compartment. When you get the end close to the noise source you'll know it, and you'll be able to tell if it is coming from the chain cover, the valve cover, or an idler.

The second way is just to squirt some aerosol grease into the bearings on all the idlers and see if they quiet down.

my feeling was that because its temp related it likley to be something >to do with oil and component wear. Anythings possible I suppose.

Do the rubber hose trick and verify that it really is coming from the timing chain cover. Then pull the cover and look inside.

--scott

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Scott Dorsey
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