Help identifying engine compartment noise?

[AwgustLab]

Hi all, when I start my truck on cold mornings it makes this noise for about 5 minutes, until it warms up. Then it goes away. Not sure if it is a belt or something more sinister. I'm no mechanic so I just wanted to see if anyone had any input before I take it in to a shop. Any ideas?

 

[NLXTACY]

Timing chain slop would be my guess. If it’s cold and oil pressure hasn’t built up, the tensioner isn’t getting enough hydraulic pressure to push against the guide. When the engine warms up, the oil thins and pressure builds. Then the tensioner gets the hydraulic pressure it needs.

 

[AwgustLab]

Timing chain slop would be my guess. If it’s cold and oil pressure hasn’t built up, the tensioner isn’t getting enough hydraulic pressure to push against the guide. When the engine warms up, the oil thins and pressure builds. Then the tensioner gets the hydraulic pressure it needs.

Thanks for the input. It sounds like you are saying it might be the tensioner that is the culprit. Is this an inexpensive fix? Is it something that is urgent? It drives perfectly fine once it warms up after a few minutes. I found a link to this and it looks like a decent fix. 80 Series 1FZ Timing Chain Tensioner- Ratcheting, Modified

 

[BILT4ME]

Could be what he said, but I'm thinking AC idler pulley bearing, with possibly alternator idler bearing.

 

[sailingcruiser]

I had the same noise for the most part. Two things I changed. I was running 15/40 oil. On cold mornings I believe it was to thick and possibly bypassing at the oil pump. Until the truck warmed up. I never had the noise in the afternoon after work. Sitting approximately the same time.

I changed out my timing chain tensioner and went to 5/40 oil problem went a way for the most part 80% fix. My truck has 255k on it.

Not saying that’s your problem but the noise is very close.

 

[NLXTACY]

Could be what he said, but I'm thinking AC idler pulley bearing, with possibly alternator idler bearing.

Originally I considered that but those don't change with temperature.

 

[BILT4ME]

Originally I considered that but those don't change with temperature.

I respectfully disagree. I have had similar bearings quiet as they warmed up.

You have much more experience with these trucks specifically than I do, however, I believe I have a number more years of hands on experience.

Let's have him check cheap and easy first.

Get a $10 auto stethoscope and check exactly where the noise is coming from without getting your hands or hair in the belts and pulleys.

 

[NLXTACY]

I respectfully disagree. I have had similar bearings quiet as they warmed up.

You have much more experience with these trucks specifically than I do, however, I believe I have a number more years of hands on experience.

Age before beauty

I'm pushing 50 so that puts you well ahead of me

 

[LandLocked93]

Hi all, when I start my truck on cold mornings it makes this noise for about 5 minutes, until it warms up. Then it goes away. Not sure if it is a belt or something more sinister. I'm no mechanic so I just wanted to see if anyone had any input before I take it in to a shop. Any ideas?

You say the noise goes away after a few minutes? Does it go away gradually, or suddenly, and with a pop or clack sound?

I was running 15/40 oil. On cold mornings ...

Bru...feel like you have clearance issues? You're half way to diff jizz on that back number.

 

[AwgustLab]

I had the same noise for the most part. Two things I changed. I was running 15/40 oil. On cold mornings I believe it was to thick and possibly bypassing at the oil pump. Until the truck warmed up. I never had the noise in the afternoon after work. Sitting approximately the same time.

I changed out my timing chain tensioner and went to 5/40 oil problem went a way for the most part 80% fix. My truck has 255k on it.

Not saying that’s your problem but the noise is very close.

This might make sense, too. Mornings here in ABQ are just below freezing usually. Recently I was really low on oil and I added a few quarts of 15/40 oil to it until I can get around to my next oil change. I have 226K on the truck today. The tensioner is cheap, now I just need to see about the cost of replacing it. Thinking also of switching to full synthetic oil next time around, too.

 

[AwgustLab]

You say the noise goes away after a few minutes? Does it go away gradually, or suddenly, and with a pop or clack sound?

The rattling sound goes away gradually. I am letting it warm up for about 5 minutes before I drive to work. I then hop in and I can hear it as I am driving down the road and it starts to fade away slowly and then eventually as the temperature guage rises, to normal it disappears completely.

 

[NLXTACY]

This might make sense, too. Mornings here in ABQ are just below freezing usually. Recently I was really low on oil and I added a few quarts of 15/40 oil to it until I can get around to my next oil change. I have 226K on the truck today. The tensioner is cheap, now I just need to see about the cost of replacing it. Thinking also of switching to full synthetic oil next time around, too.

The tensioner is two nuts and it’s very simple to change out. You can see the tip of it from the oil fill hole.

 

[LandLocked93]

The rattling sound goes away gradually. I am letting it warm up for about 5 minutes before I drive to work. I then hop in and I can hear it as I am driving down the road and it starts to fade away slowly and then eventually as the temperature guage rises, to normal it disappears completely.

Copy.
As we were.

 

[AwgustLab]

By the way, thanks y'all for your answers thus far and giving me some great ideas to pinpoint this issue, rather than just letting me in on this great feature on here called "Search" and suggest that I get used to using it.

 

[BILT4ME]

rather than just letting me in on this great feature on here called "Search" and suggest that I get used to using it.

 

[AwgustLab]

Good to see at least you know who you are.

 

[NLXTACY]

By the way, thanks y'all for your answers thus far and giving me some great ideas to pinpoint this issue, rather than just letting me in on this great feature on here called "Search" and suggest that I get used to using it.

We're not saying DON'T use search

 

[BILT4ME]

Good to see at least you know who you are.

 

[AwgustLab]

Dude, I see enough of your types on Twitter. Go there if you want to post your stupid memes. You don't offend me, but I can see you like to be an obnoxious little prick.

 

[BILT4ME]

Dude, I see enough of your types on Twitter. Go there if you want to post your stupid memes. You don't offend me, but I can see you like to be an obnoxious little prick.

Make sure to post your final solution to your engine compartment noise for the benefit of all others that choose to enter and post.....