DrDre1443

my tensioner went bad a t 58K, and another local's went bad at 66K

Timber

Hmm, read that thread, and the one it linked. Still no idea if it is the tensioner or the starter. Has anyone actually solved this problem? I just had the tensioner replaced due to a rattling noise when the engine was started hot, and this has just started now. It doesn't sound the same at all, and this is only when cold.

stitos2k

I have this issue and it happens on cold wet mornings. I've narrowed it to the starter, and seems (in my case) that moisure is getting in the starter. On dry cold mornings... no problem whatsoever.

mxt_77

My first tensioner went bad at about 10K. My 2nd one went bad at 15K. Apparently, it's never too soon for it to go bad.

YENS2K

I have that exact same problem and i have done a good ammount of research. The cam chain auto-tensioner i believed was the culprit on mine because it would only make that noise on cold morning starts and then the car is fine for the rest of the day. I replaced the tensioner and it still made the noise so i do not believe that was the problem. I am going to start to look into the starter and see if that seems to be the case. The tensioner works acording to oil pressure so be sure that oil levels are good and the right oil is being used. I hope someone comes up with a solution soon sorry for the late post

HiRpmVTEC

also have the same problem

Billman250

This is pointless without a sound clip.

A bad TCT doesn't make any screeching at all. It's a loud distinct fast clicking. The speed is like a playing card in the spokes of a bicycle.

The sound is like two plactic blocks being smacked together. There's no mistaking it with a sound clip.

mxt_77

Screeching? I don't see that mentioned in this thread, but maybe I just overlooked it. Edit... nm, found it.

However, I should mention that I do have a screeching noise now (after going through 2 TCTs). It's not a problem with the TCT itself, since I just installed another new one, but I assume it's caused by some sort of wear on the tensioner arm (or maybe even the cam chain gears). I hope it doesn't result in catastrophic failure any time soon, but I'm just too lazy to go through the effort required to replace the necessary parts to resolve the problem right now, since that will probably require a new chain & tensioner arm, which requires pulling the head & oil pan, etc, etc.

AllStock27

Mine does this too.. only when its extremely cold.. but what would work for me in most cases, is put the key in and put it in the on position, wait a few seconds, then to the off position, wait a few seconds... and i do this for about 3-4 times... and i dont hear that awful sound. This doesnt work though on the coldest mornings though..