VN - rattle when under load

[Shifty1]

Hey guys

Dads VN rattles when under load.. he reckons its the timing chain and its common.. is this true?

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

More likely the harmonic balancer. The timing chain would rattle when you back off as this releases the tension on it.

[Shifty1]

oh ok

thanks for this.. is it safe to leave it like that?

[immortality]

possible the exhaust hitting the chassis somewhere, check all the exhaust mounts etc

[Shifty1]

Nah, you can hear it rattle up the frontend..

[VNCalais98K]

mine rattles under load at around 2000rpm.

I replaced chain and balancer and still does it...
When you find out what it is let me know :P

Im guessing a dodgy valvetrain component.

[Bz Kn33z]

Mine use to rattle heaps and i did the timing chain, even though the timing chain was fine its the Tensioner, the plastic falls off the tensioner and goes back to the steal and thats what makes the noise when it hits the chain.
It rattles bad when idle and when you take off it still rattles. But when you really put your boot into it it doesnt rattle as much. but its still there.

[samuels]

Hey guys

Dads VN rattles when under load.. he reckons its the timing chain and its common.. is this true?

yes timing chain,also is it an auto? you may want to get a stethoscope and listen thru the bell housing,flex plate may have cracked....also common in VN's,the sound travels with a flex plate for some reason,also if it's got quite a few K's on it, may pay to listen at rear of valley cover,another known issue with VN's....balance shaft bearing (V6)

[samuels]

More likely the harmonic balancer. The timing chain would rattle when you back off as this releases the tension on it.

actually the opposite happens....when you accelerate the chain is taken up,therefore causing the noise,but the laws of science doesn't prevent noise being heard on back off either

[greenfoam]

Also broken harmonic balancers only make noise with no load on them

[CSL]

like samuel said, i had a really bad ticking, clacking sound, turned out to be the flywheel, ncie whoping crack init, 40bucks for a second hand one and sweet, although its a bastard to change

[PaRaDoX]

sounds like a screwdriver in a cyclinder...

what kinda knocking noise is it???
sure its not pinging???

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

I have had the chains rattle when you back off, the tensioner should keep the slack side from rattling when it is under load. When you back off, it is the other side that rattles because the crank cog is pushing the chain rather than pulling it. But you are right they rattle under load too, but the tensioner is usually stuffed as well.

[samuels]

like samuel said, i had a really bad ticking, clacking sound, turned out to be the flywheel, ncie whoping crack init, 40bucks for a second hand one and sweet, although its a bastard to change

not to bad when you get used to them.....the belly plate(that useless big chunk of cast iron cover for the torque convertor and starter.... ) takes a bit of use too,you really have to hold your mouth right to manouvre it off and back on ....LOL

[samuels]

I have had the chains rattle when you back off, the tensioner should keep the slack side from rattling when it is under load. When you back off, it is the other side that rattles because the crank cog is pushing the chain rather than pulling it. But you are right they rattle under load too, but the tensioner is usually stuffed as well.

Hmmm iv'e seen many a tensioner with the rubber chewed off...including mine

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

Rubber doesn't last forever. Some engine components are designed to wear so they will not damage critical parts. When there is a noise like that, fix it. Cheaper that replacing valves and pistons.

[samuels]

Rubber doesn't last forever. Some engine components are designed to wear so they will not damage critical parts. When there is a noise like that, fix it. Cheaper that replacing valves and pistons.

exactly because i'm retired now (motor mechanic) i now have time to work on my own car....LOL you know the old saying....a tradesmen never gets to fix his own gear...iv'e moved into restoring written off VN's ,more into the panel beating and spray painting side of things now...still do backyard mechanical when people rock up ...

[Shifty1]

Well.. the car has 162,000kms on it but the previous owner thrashed the living s**t out of it...