THAT annoying rattling sound @ idle

[Bob129]

Hey guys,
This may have been covered before, but I tried searching and just ended with about a trillion results, so figured this was the most direct route to an answer!

I'm sure most of you will know the rattling sound I'm talking about. It seems VERY common on the Ecotec motors. When ever I'm pulled up at lights and I hear it I know a vs or vt is nearby.

It only happens when I'm in drive with my foot on the brake, so the engine is under a slight amount of load. When I put it back into Park or Neutral the sound goes away.
I'm certain it has to do with the timing belt or a pulley, as I once quizzed my mechanic about it, and he just sprayed some silicon spray somewhere and it fixed it for about a week.

Is there a more permanent solution?

Cheers

[wraith]

I had the same thing in my VR. Older motor sure but not much difference. Turned out idler pulley was cactus. Check it next time the car is running if the tensioner jumps around when idling it needs to be replaced. I know it only does it in drive but don't forgot that in drive the car idles lower.

[pillzor]

i had my dad look at that the other day , hes been a mechanic ( as a hobby ) since he first started driving and he couldnt find it but said it was nothing too worry about.
my car does it in park aswell.

[VS-S-PACK-UTE]

the common rattling noise in ecotecs is the tappets isnt it? however doesnt explain y silicon would fis the noise...

[WogBoyz]

mine doesnt have any noises on idle

[James39]

My VR has rattle, but goes away when the air con is running. I am sure it is the compressor.
Might be the same for the VS?

[CAMZVS]

The rattling could also be cause buy a engine mount thats maybe why it only happens under load. The mounts can look completey fine from the outside buy can be collapsed inside. Fixed the problem in my car, hope this helps

[hako]

If the noise went away after spraying with silicone it indicates he sprayed one of the idler pulleys or the tensioner pulley. They all fail eventually and the best thing you can do (for peace of mind) is to remove the serpentine belt and then spin each pulley by hand...any pulleys that are rough should be replaced very soon because if they fail, the belt will be thrown and you will have no A/C power steering, waterpump or alternator.

[eXphoid]

The rattling stops when I put it in neutral at the lights =]

[hako]

The rattling stops when I put it in neutral at the lights =]

You may have a sheared engine mount - when in D and stationary, there is a load placed on the engine which makes it rotate to one side....like it's in tension - if a mount is sheared it can move about and make a noise. This can also place strain on the exhaust headers/downpipes which then rattle.
Take it out of D and into N and the engine has no load on it and sits squarely in the mounts....no rattles.

[bloodyricho]

gear box mount if its an auto they do the rear centre mount and rattle like poo but the pulleys rattle 2 the one for a vn bolt on the vr and probably yours too but they have a servicable bearing (and are chrome - bling)

[delcowizzid]

vn vp vr is normally timing chain or tensioner vn S1 especially they snap right off and fall in the sump leaving the chain slapping round.other common rattle is the balance shaft bearings and gears

[Kingo]

the water pump makes a bad rattle when the bearings are fagged, which is also a common problem.

[Bob129]

So many different causes of rattles. lol. This rattle i'm talkin about is VERY distinctive...and i know is a VERY COMMON problem. I hear it all the time when stopped at traffic lights or when banked up in the city. Surely there would just be one simple thing to replace/tighten to fix it?

[hako]

So many different causes of rattles. lol. This rattle i'm talkin about is VERY distinctive...and i know is a VERY COMMON problem. I hear it all the time when stopped at traffic lights or when banked up in the city. Surely there would just be one simple thing to replace/tighten to fix it?

If only life was that simple.......Commodores are the same, there ain't no simple fix unless you identify the cause. Have you checked all the suggestions and eliminated them?

[Bob129]

Ok, so i've finally got around to sorting out this rattling sound. Hopefully it helps other people, as it is a very simple fix. All i hard to do was go down and purchase a can of silicone spray from Supercheap auto, and then spray it onto my fan belt until the noise stopped. I dunno how long this fix will last, but its been 4 days and the noise has returned, so im quite happy with the outcome!

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

Do you have a plastic idler pulley?

[Bob129]

nope. pretty sure they are all metal!

[WogBoyz]

mine has that ratteling noise when in drive and turning corners slowly, is that what ur symptons were too? doesnt do it in park of netural

[Bob129]

nope, your problem sounds completely different to what mine was. Your's mite be related to the power steering?

[WogBoyz]

oh ok well i just put some wd40 on my pulleys and it seemed to have stopped the noise

[undar8ed1]

If the noise went away after spraying with silicone it indicates he sprayed one of the idler pulleys or the tensioner pulley. They all fail eventually and the best thing you can do (for peace of mind) is to remove the serpentine belt and then spin each pulley by hand...any pulleys that are rough should be replaced very soon because if they fail, the belt will be thrown and you will have no A/C power steering, waterpump or alternator.

+1 first thing to do IMO because its quick and easy.

[jimmy_b78]

I HAVE THE SAME PROB IN MY VN i KNW IT'S OLD BUT IT REALLY SOUNDS LIKE THE TAPPETS AND GIVE'S ME THE IRRATES IF ANYONE HAS A SOLUTION PLEASE !!!!!

[hako]

Just try the fixes mentioned above - do the easy one first - spray the pulley bearings with WD40/RP7/silcone spray. Keep your hands away from moving parts!