Rival Legendary

Whoops! Just fixed that, let me know what you think.

BlackHawk_Tsi

Sounds like a bearing... Idler or tensionor pulley maybe...

Rival Legendary

Excellent! That's what I was thinking. Haven't had a chance to pull it apart yet but I'm hoping to after work!

BlackHawk_Tsi

I said maybe. Could be a broken bolt. Just be sure by opening it up.

Rival Legendary

I had a little time last night and got the top timing cover off and the started the engine and noticed the timing belt is flapping around loosely. I didn't look at it yet but I'm assuming that the problem is the tensioner right?

BlackHawk_Tsi

Oh yeah the tensioner. I don't know if they are hydraulic or mechanical. I've never gone that far on the 4b11. But there are pulleys on idler and the tensioner. If they fail enough the belt will flap around too.

I'd worry about skipping timing and bending valves just from cranking up.

kilosierra18

my Evo IX has the exact same noise, it does go away once it has warmed up

Evoguy201

A friend of mines car was doing the same noise. it was the tensioner.

Rival Legendary

*UPDATE* I finally had a chance to replace the timing belt tensioner and can happily report it fixed my problem! All rattle has stopped!

dothacker81

^^ that's a very good update! now, time to check on mine :P