engine clicking....plz hlp

[ionick05]

I just bought an 05 ion redline yesterday. The engine seemed to have a light click when in low rpm. The dealer tech said it was a belt but Im not sure. It seems to go away once shes warmed up a bit. Anyone have any idea?

On a different note this is the greatest car ive ever owned. I switched from a 78 Nova to the redline and what a difference. The redline is a real driver's car. The sound of the supercharger is truly intoxicating. I'm not in love with the clutch, but the car was used and im approching 30k miles so it might be time to swap. Second gear really doest want to engage, Im shortshifting untill monday to avoid any further damage. This is my first post so sorry if im a bit long winded.

[Ahriman]

the LSJ is a very chattery motor, especially when cold, if you obsess about all the little knocks, clunks, and rattles, this car will drive you nuts. could be a few things your hearing, lifters perhaps. i wouldnt worry about it too much, especially if it goes away once its warmed up.

[Eco-Mod]

Every Ecotec motor has noisey injectors, and is typically the noise people complain about. The time to really worry about it is if it is coming from the passenger side of the motor near the valve cover where the timing chain runs.

My timing chain tensioner siezed up for no reason 2 weekends ago. I do immaculate oil changes(less than 2k miles), and when it 'happened' I had just driven over to a friends house, parked it w/o any noise, and started it up a couple hours later to hear the chain slapping the guides. It siezed up tight, I couldn't break it free with a damn hammer in a vise. Relatively quick job tho, just checked the cam timing and threw in a new one.

[ionick05]

Timing chain tensioner, check that for sure. Any suggestions as to whats up with my clutch. Second gear doesnt want to engage above 1000 rpms. Is it my clutch or did the previous owner screw up 2nd?

[ionick05]

So thanks to excellent advice the clicking has been resolved!! It was the timing chain tensioner. I told the techs at the dealership and sure enough that was it. Another example of why I love forums like this, information is everything . Thanks again everyone.

[dRykiLL]

mine has a weird sound coming from the pass side by about where the timing chain is when its revved up to about 3k. I wonder if its the same thing. my buddies balt does it too.

[theneelster]

Originally Posted by ionick05

Timing chain tensioner, check that for sure. Any suggestions as to whats up with my clutch. Second gear doesnt want to engage above 1000 rpms. Is it my clutch or did the previous owner screw up 2nd?

Usually it's the other way around...1st gear doesn't want to engage when downshifting from 2nd. I'd say it's transmission not your clutch.

[Cole]

For the mechanically inept, how do I check the timing chain tensioner? And how do I tighten it, or is this something a shop should do? I ask because I just recently noticed this sound and it IS coming from the passenger side. Also my car doesn't want to shift into first sometimes after being in neutral at a red light. I'm also about to drive to TN and back this Sunday/Monday. I don't want my engine seizeing up on me in the middle of nowhere.

On that note, without fail, just before my annual trip to TN something goes wrong with my car. Last time I had a blowout and ripped a huge hole in my oil pan the day before I left.

[lilhomieb07]

Ya sometimes the tensioner makes clickin noises to, but i think thats at idle and when the motors cold. Also i dunno if the TC makes noises when the motor has force on it like what weve been discussin about the 2-3k throttle punch like pebbles in a can sound, i could be wrong tho. And ya deff dont wanna go to the stealership for something easy. I dunno why after 43000 miles mine does it and u have 113,xxx and ur just noticing it. I wish i could get sounds of this but its hard to.

[febo1228]

Originally Posted by ionick05

Timing chain tensioner, check that for sure. Any suggestions as to whats up with my clutch. Second gear doesnt want to engage above 1000 rpms. Is it my clutch or did the previous owner screw up 2nd?

many redlines do this, i dont know exactly what it is, it has something to do about synchros. Mine does it too, so no it wasnt the person that had it before you.