Whiney 2.0

My '06 SS/SC has a constant rattle coming from the timing chain area. Possibly tappets, but sounds more like chain area. I'm thinking possibly a broken chain guide. Car also has a somewhat major hesitation under about 4,000 rpm. Only mods so far are cold air and a flowtech turbo muffler. Anyone else experienced any of this? Know the fixes? Have suggestions? Oh, and I'm about 1,000 miles from having no warranty. I've already been jerked around on the warranty once..... appearently, although the factory rev limit is at 6,500, anything over 6,000 is abuse per waranty. To make it better, of course, any time a code sets, the computer records temperature, speed, rpm, mileage, and what color your underwear are. Ya'll keep that in mind.

CobaltVenomSS

iTrader: (2)

i got the same problem with the chain...!!! does it sound like a rattle snake at low rpms?

RoAdsZ24

I had the same problem soon after I got my car, only 3000 miles. the tensioner on the timing chain collapsed. there is a TSB on it, take it to the dealer. It is a common problem i am told but needs to be fixed ASAP. broken chain = broken valves, cams, cylinders...etc

Whiney 2.0

Thanks a lot. Will this be covered out of warranty? Only got like 100 miles of warranty left.

Mr_Slobalt

iTrader: (1)

check my "engine rattle" thread

clutchgeargasgo

i also just had this happen and my dealer replaced it under warranty. but ya there is a tsb and there is a new design to the tensioner

Whiney 2.0

Sorry it's been a while since I logged on.... Yes, the tensioner is the issue. Unfortunately, I was out of warranty so I did the work myself. Wound up replacing the cam drive chain, one guide and the tensioner for that chain. Didn't find out for sure what it was 'till I got into the engine. The new tensioner design is totally different from the original design.... hopefully better. For future reference, if anyone starts hearing a rattle from the accessory end of their engine don't hesitate to either have it checked out or go ahead and replace the tensioner before it pisses the chain and/or guides off. It's and incredibly easy fix and well worth the time and cash to do it.

Jkunzy1690

how much will this cost if out of warranty?

tony2toness/sc

Yea how much will it cost to replace or fix cause mine is rattleing for quite some time now

Sh0nuff

Someone who has done this / is going to do this needs to throw up a how to on it...
I'm sure many who have this issue would like to do it themselves...but want some reassurance on how before they dive into it...
Myself being one of them

Whiney 2.0

I can't remember exactly how much the tensioner cost me because I got a bunch of stuff together. It's been a while since I did it. I'm going to say $50 give or take $10-20. Your best bet is to call your Chevy dealer and get a price on it. Just make sure they price/order the tensioner for the Cam timing chain and not the one for the balance shaft chain as they are two totally different tensioners. As far as actually doing it, all you need is a wrench. I want to say it's a 1-1/8" but I'm not going to swear to it, it is pretty large though. The tensioner is located on the back side of the head just above the block on the accessory end of the engine. All you can see of it installed is what looks like the head of a large bolt. Simply loosen with a wrench and thread it out then thread the new one in and tighten. Make sure the old gasket comes off with the old one and the new one has a gasket on it. The new design is totally different from the original, don't let this fool you into thinking that you got the wrong part. Check the old one after you pull it out and see if there's any movement to the plunger.... there probably won't be. Notice that on the new one the plunger moves in and out and spins with ease. This is your problem. If the old one moves as freely and as much as the new one you may have to dig deeper to find your problem, that will take some time and mechanical knowledge. Not to mention, a harmonic balancer puller. I wound up replacing my cam timing chain and one of the guides as well after inspection since I already had the timing cover off of mine, but I had been running for quite some time with the rattle. I also noticed that the original design of the tensioner was a solid non-serviceable unit whereas the new design can actually be disassembled. Maybe if the problem happens again it'll be possible to just disassemble the tensioner and clean it to save some $$. Just maybe. Hope this post helps some of you. If anyone's having thermostat problems on their 2.0 I can help you with the installation of that too.

Jkunzy1690

if you could post pictures and make a how to that would be soooooo amazing!!!

Whiney 2.0

I'll see what I can do.

IonNinja

I still remember when I lost my tensioner installing a new head at 12AM in the dark *sigh*

never did end up finding that thing

Whiney 2.0

Damn, that sucks. Should I even ask why ya had to replace the head. Especially at 12AM in the dark. Jkunzy, if you're having the problem, go ahead and get your tensioner. It may take me a couple days to get pics and torque specs. I won't have any pics of a removed tensioner, but I should be able to give a good idea with only one pic anyway.

Jkunzy1690

already ordered it! thanks alot

http://www.crateenginedepot.com/stor...0-P2216C0.aspx

this is correct right??

Whiney 2.0

That'd be the one. I'll try to get a pic or two and the wrench size up tomorrow.

Jkunzy1690

thanks alot man! Nice to see someone actually contributing to the site

Whiney 2.0

LOL Tell me about it. Seems that most people on here just want to run there mouths.

Jkunzy1690

some of the members are ignorant ********, but there are a handful of guys like 06 black, lsjwannabe, wickedss2005, zach06cobalt, and area47 that make this site a wonderful place. welcome!

Whiney 2.0

I appreciate it.

IonNinja

i have the patriot stage 2 head...was installing it at the time. ran a little behind schedule

i don't even remember what i was doing with it...just remember dropping it and never finding it again. shitty thing to do on a saturday night!

i'm gonna take a guess and say the socket you need is 1 1/4 but I forget, its been a while...

rukkee

iTrader: (3)

The 5/60K mile powertrain warranty covers this, you guys put on alot of miles .

Jkunzy1690

5 year 60k is non transferable, i bought my car used- only 3 year 36k

Snakes709

Man i had that same thing happen to me when i took the car off of some guy, got it at 24,000km. Timing chain, gasket and tensioner went....how come the cobalt has this common problem?