funny rattle from behind the timing belt cover

[simmers]

1999 outback

sounds like a marble is caught in the driver's side timing belt
cover...when I put my fingers on the cover I can feel something getting
knocked around. Happens usually when I start it and stops when the rpms
get a little higher. no loss of power and everything else is normal.
I tried taking the cover off (3 bolt screws) but the coolant overflow
tank was in the way...does anybody know if the bottom of the coolant
overflow tank is connected to the rad? Or do I just un-do the 2 bolts
on it and yank it out?
I did get the cover partly off and nothing fell out...and the belt
looked fine.

any ideas?

 

[Todd H.]

1999 outback

sounds like a marble is caught in the driver's side timing belt
cover...when I put my fingers on the cover I can feel something getting
knocked around. Happens usually when I start it and stops when the rpms
get a little higher. no loss of power and everything else is normal.
I tried taking the cover off (3 bolt screws) but the coolant overflow
tank was in the way...does anybody know if the bottom of the coolant
overflow tank is connected to the rad? Or do I just un-do the 2 bolts
on it and yank it out?
I did get the cover partly off and nothing fell out...and the belt
looked fine.

any ideas?

Ticking sound? Does it vary with engine speed? Does it go away after
the car warms up?

My timing belt tensioner is loud as hell on start, and has been
replaced 3 or 4 times under warranty such that I think all subuaru
timing belt tensioners are ticky as heck. Quiets down after 2-3
minutes of runtime though.

Dunno if that's what you're hearing though.

 

[Edward Hayes]

+ 1 for Todd's suggestion. The overflow bottle on my Forester is only
connected with the two upper bolts.

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

+ 1 for Todd's suggestion. The overflow bottle on my Forester is only
connected with the two upper bolts.

Some folks find 'rubbed' spots on the inside of the covers from the belt
flopping around, due to bad tensioners.


Carl