Rattling VN V6, very annoying!!

[3.8L of executive power!!]

Hi all,
I have a 1990 V6 sedan, and when i accelerate i hear a rattling sound coming from the engine, it will stop when the trans changes gear, or if i take my foot off the accelerator, i think it may be the timing chain but not too sure
any ideas??
cheers

[Matt_vp]

maybe the belt tensioner, but it is most probly the timing chain. with it idling watch the belt tensioner and see if it is moving around much.

[SiLeNt-SoN]

Hey

Yeah mine does the exact same thing, when i excellerate it makes a rattling, scraping sound, and when i take it off it stops..

If it is timing belt, how can this be fixed??

[holden007]

I hear this noise on alot of VN to VR Commodores, mine has developed it aswell, so I would like know exactly what to change.

[SiLeNt-SoN]

Hey,

I had a look today, i am thinking maybe the cogs that the fan belt runs on is warped a little or not tightend enough! could this be right??

[Sp0tteh]

id say the belt tensioner, simply take it off (its left hand thread btw) and re grease the bearings then put it back on.

have done the above a few times on my vp.

[V6Lexcen_89]

when we put a new timing chain on my vn it still rattled cos the cogs where worn aswell. try replacing the chain, tensioner and cam sprocet, should only cost bout $40-$50

[14secvp]

JP Performance billet gear set with multi position keyway NZ$179 doesnt include tensioner though it could also be worn balance shaft gears

[14secvp]

Just finished installing the above gear set in my mates vn opened it up and the tensioner was gone sheared off and the chain was stretched to the point you could just about touch both sides together with it on. has done at least 150000 kms like that obviously without the tensioner only a holden could do that.

[308vkcalais]

worn balance shaft bearings, most likely the rear.Just did them in my son's VN ser 1..

[14secvp]

just put the above set in my mates vn now quite as a mouse maybe due to the fact that the chain tensioner had sheared off 150000 ks ago and the sides of the chain were just about touching together

[holden007]

I got some pacemaker extractors, some sounds I used to hear are gone, apart from that tiny scraping sound that comes at 2500 to 3000rpm. The belt tensioner and harmonic balancer are fine, I might replace the timing chain as the car has done 220k.

[holden08]

pull the timing case of and replace chain and tensioner, the dampner more often than not will snap off !!