1995 J30 engine noise

[jlbackus]

My daughter has 95 J30 w/121,000 miles. Runs good but just discovered engine noise. To me (novice) it almost sounds link a card in bicycle spokes. Almost a flutter and doesn't sound metalic. Have had for 4 years and changed oil every 3,000 miles. I can only hear at idle. When engine revs up I don't hear it any more. People have mentioned timing tensioner or cam. It appears to be high up, near front of engine on passager side. Anyone with experience have any idea?

[95-J30tt]

i think i know what sound you are talking about, i had the same thing, couldnt find out the problem though, even after i changed my timing belt, the sound was still there, it seemd like it came from the #3 cylinder. in my case, it was very audable when the engine is cold, but once it gets to operational temperature, the sound would go away.....

[yodawill2000]

injector clicking maybe ??

[littlewillie]

Modified by littlewillie at 12:01 AM 12/24/2007

[GeoFX]

My daughter has 95 J30 w/121,000 miles. Runs good but just discovered engine noise. To me (novice) it almost sounds link a card in bicycle spokes. Almost a flutter and doesn't sound metalic. Have had for 4 years and changed oil every 3,000 miles. I can only hear at idle. When engine revs up I don't hear it any more. People have mentioned timing tensioner or cam. It appears to be high up, near front of engine on passager side. Anyone with experience have any idea?

I'm hearing the same thing on my '97 J30 w/61500 miles and am also wondering what this is. It make like a "clacking" noise like the OP describes during idling. I changed the original timing belt last May and replaced the valve cover gaskets a few months later but have just started noticing it a few weeks ago. Besides this, it still drives perfectly normal.

Is this a symptom of timing tensioner/cam problem? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

[yodawill2000]

Ive heard the Valve solenoids can make quite a clackin'

[driverdriver]

Welcome to NICO jlbackus!!!

If the noise gets louder over time and is persistent even when the engine is warmed up, its the solenoids.

[gr8scott72]

Better late than never huh driverdriver? lol

almost a year and a half since he posted.