94 J30, Rattling Noise From Top Of Engine/Timing Belt Area

[ougoboy]

94 J, 125,000 on the clock, Rattling noise from the valve cover and timing belt area, Noise increases w/engine RPM, I can feel the rattle if I place my hand on the intake manifold. Is it time to replace the timing belt ?

Thanks in Advance

BJW

[95-J30tt]

has the timing belt ever been changed??, if not, then you are taking a very big risk of driving the car without a new belt.... these engines are low tolerance engines, which means that if for some reason, the belt lets go, the valves will immediately hit the pistons causing major internal damage, in other words, new engine would be needed in that case.... i really hope that you wont have to go through this, i would advice you to change the belt as soon as possible, and try to not use the car untill the belt has been done......

if you have a good tool set and some mechanical experiance, i'd be more than happy to send you the write up on how to change the timing belt on the J30, hope this helps, good luck

[ougoboy]

Hey j30tt,Thanks for the reply, Not sure if the t-belt has been replaced or not, It'sa friend of mine and he's had the car for about 6 months, I replaced the plugs and filters but did not like the valve train rattle like noise, I guess you wold call it I can place my hands on the intake manifold and feel the rattle. I was explaining to him that I think it might be timing belt relatedand that it would take me a Saturday and early Sunday to replace it andwhat ever else that might need to be replaced and that it is a little involved

[yodawill2000]

Not sure if its normal Dealer procedure but on mine theres a plate on the front edge of the underside of the hood with The TBelt replaced Mileage. Might look to see if its there.

[doctorl]

I have a similar noise on my '93 J30 and want to investigate/change the timing belt this weekend. Sure could use the steps if you could send them to me or post...

[J30tman]

Guys, I had the same noise on my J. It was the timing belt tensioner. You need to replace this NOW! When I opened the front of my engine to replace the tensioner and belt I noticed many little chunks missing from the belt. I was lucky and got to mine just in time and saved my motor. Get it done.