SLATER97EX

OK, after my car warms up, and if I rev the engine up a little and let it idle back down, I get a kind of rattling noise. I think I've got it located to the top of the timing belt, if I listen by the cover, thats where it appears to be coming from. Any ideas on what this is? Its a 97 EX. Thanks Fellas.

-Trinitron-

Sounds like your timing belt is loose bro, take the cover off and check the tension...it should be pretty tight.

SLATER97EX

Thanks man, another guy looked at it and said it could even be too tight. I'm gonna check it out. Thanks for the reply.

SLATER97EX

OK maybe not tonight.....I didn't realize that the valve cover has to come off in order to take the timing belt cover off (newbie)....so I'll do it this weekend when I have more time and light. Does anyone know specifically whats causing this noise?

porsche997dc2

May be you timing belt is slapping the plastic cover. Just remove the top plastic cover that cover the cam gear and start the car to see if the timing belt is loose.

SLATER97EX

yeah but it looks like the valve cover has to come off in order to take the timing belt cover off. And its already dark out, so I'm not going to do it tonight. Besides, don't I have to replace the vc gasket if i take it off?

porsche997dc2

Yes, you do need to remove the valve cover to get the plastic cover. You don't need to change the valve cover gasket unless it's getting hard.