Bad rattling from front end

**michael66899** · 12-27-2008 03:46 AM

So just the other day sometimes at idle I noticed the car making this horrible rattling noise. Its coming from what seems to be right around or below the fan, sounds like a bad pulley or something of some kind. Here's a video of it, any ideas?? And it never matters if the cars hot or cold.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBy9waa1OuQ

**kovalevandrew** · 12-27-2008 04:16 AM

You weren't kidding when you said bad. Holy shit. Sounds like the noise i have on my aircon pump pulley, but yours is 5 times louder.

**zrowcool** · 12-27-2008 07:55 AM

alternator would be my best guess, if not power steering pump. Are you having any electrical issues? I seen this happen on an 06 cherokee where the bearing in the alternator went and it had that grinding noise like that. would get louder if you accelerate and then the voltages and lights for the dash/radio would be all over the place.

**A4 Effort** · 12-27-2008 09:10 AM

Sounds like your belt tensioner pulley

**solowb5** · 12-27-2008 09:41 AM

Could be your injectors. bc how mike pointed out your inj are open 100% all the time.

**michael66899** · 12-27-2008 02:57 PM

How might it be injector related? I don't hear any kind of sound coming from near the fuel rail or anything. The sound does look like its coming from close to the PS pump, but I haven't had any power steering issues. Also I don't believe its the alternator because I run a sub and amp and have never had any charging issues.

**michael66899** · 12-27-2008 03:00 PM

Also off idle the sound basically disappears and I thought tensioner at first too, but the sound seems to be coming from a different area...

**xqwizit** · 12-28-2008 12:05 AM

I am pretty sure it is your timing belt cover. It's the black plastic piece held on by two clips in the front of your engine right b/w you and the plastic 5V Turbo engine cover. I had the same noise when I put clipped it back on after I changed my valve cover gasket. Just wiggle the cover up (the clips will still hold it into place) and the belt will no longer rub up against it and stop making those noises. It scared the crap out of me when I first heard it too.