I think I may need to have the timing chain tensioner replaced. The car makes an odd rattling sound a minute after a cold start up and then goes away once it's warmed up. Power seems fine and the engine has no other problems. Is the car still drivable? Should I just take it easy for the first few minutes (which I do anyway) and then drive normally once the car is warmed up? I am going to replace it anyway but just wanted to get your thoughts.

Also, hardtop was selling the cam chain tensioners. Is it the same part?

Thanks in advance.

 

Mine made a rattling sound when it was started warm. It also made the sound very bad when I changed the oil, until it got oil pressure.

The car is still driveable if it is the chain tenstioner, but I would get it changed ASAP.

 

My car has a simialar noise when cold. Around 4k RPM there is a strange rattle from the engine, once it's warm it sounds fine. I'll be interested to see what everyone else says.

 

My car had the problem you guys speak of. I ignored it for a while but I could no longer after I noticed that after an auto-x run the chain would rattle for about 20 seconds. Anyway, I ordered a tensioner on line and replaced it in about 20 min. start to finish. My car sounds like new.

I don't know if there is any harm in running the dying tensioner but why would you risk it? Just get a new one.

 

Have you done a valve adjustment yet.

Also, I had a sound that was similar to the a valve loose sound and we thought it might have been the tensioner but after we replaced that the sound was still there and it turned out to be spun bearings so be careful and get it checked out and troubleshot ASAP.

my .37