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2001 Chrysler Town and Country Rattling Sound

Tiny
ALBENGA
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 81,000 MILES
I get a rattling sound from the engine area when I put the car in drive or reserse, If it's in neutral or park, runs smooth.

I took off the serpentine belt and spun all the pulleys. All turned smoothly. Didn't appear to be a bearing type problem, not real sure. When I put the car in drive (with my foot on the break), my friend used a steathascope on all the pulleys and the transmission. He said he could hear a trace of the rattling sound on all of the belt pulleys. Although he thought the tensioner pulley sounded a little louder.

We are not experienced mechanics, but like to 'Do-it-yourself' when all possible. Don't want to get ripped off at a repair shop if we can help it.

Hope you can help.

Next day follow up note.

I now can hear the rattling sound when the car is in neutral? Seems to go away when I increase the RPM's. Maybe the sound of the engine covers the rattle sound. Other than that, the car runs fine. Should I be afraid of a highway breakdown?
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Thursday, May 28th, 2009 AT 1:38 PM

15 Replies

Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Hi
May have a faulty belt tensioner. Engine running does tensioner rock back and forth? Stethscope to tensioner noise loud?
Let me know
Thanks for donate
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Friday, May 29th, 2009 AT 2:00 PM
Tiny
ALBENGA
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Thanks for your response Docfixit. I didn't notice the tensioner pulley moving at all (with the engine running) in either neutral or drive.

I put the stethescope on the nut that seems to attach the spring bracket on the tensioner assembly. It was loud in neutral, and louder in drive. I tried again the hit center if the water pump shaft (was spinning) and couldn't pick up and notable loud noise. On the air conditioner compressor (I think), it was hard to find a center spot to listen for any loud noise.

I'm starting to hear (when I pull in the garage) a sometime kind of a chirp sound.

Please help.
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Sunday, May 31st, 2009 AT 5:31 PM
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Pull belt give a feel to tensioner pully any side to side movement? Rough feel?
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Monday, June 1st, 2009 AT 1:47 PM
Tiny
ALBENGA
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
I'll get to take the belt off as soon as my wife comes back from the store. When she left, the sound of chirpping was VERY loud. It's getting scary. I only have one car. Should I just replace the tensioner before I get stuck on the side of the road? What if I find the tensioner feels rough or moves back and forth? Then replace it? I feel we don't have much time left for these exchanged.
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Monday, June 1st, 2009 AT 2:06 PM
Tiny
ALBENGA
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
What else could it be?
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Monday, June 1st, 2009 AT 2:07 PM
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Yes if tensioner has any movement or feels rough replace.
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Monday, June 1st, 2009 AT 2:15 PM
Tiny
ALBENGA
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
I took the belt off yesterday. There wasn't any movement left or right. I spun the pulley and it seemrd okay until I gave it a swift spin. Then I heard some noise. I replaced the tensioner.

Since I replaced the tensioner, it seems to have fixed the problem. I still at times think I hear something. I'm going to give it a couple of days. Hopefully it's my imagination.
I'll get back to you.

Paul
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Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009 AT 11:34 AM
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Good job Hope that is all stuff like that ruins your day.
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Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009 AT 1:55 PM
Tiny
ALBENGA
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Hi There DocFixit

I've been helping my daughter move into her new home. Haven't had time to get back to you. The last time I said the tensioner seemed to fix the rattle, well it did fix the sometimes loud noises from the engine. I also said that there seemed to still be a little rattle sound and I was going to give it a little time to see if all was well. Well, all still is not well. The original rattle sound is popping up again?

Could it be the water pump? I heard that there is a product that you can pour into the radiator to lubricate the water pump. Is that true and could it stop noise in the pump?

What else could I do. I really don't trust giving the car to a shop and be billed for a lot of unnecessary stuff.

The tail pipe seems very secure. Wheel well housing?

Please help me some more.

Paul in Florida
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Thursday, June 18th, 2009 AT 9:01 AM
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
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Hi
Noise at idle? If yes use the stehescope go over engine valve cover, front end ect
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Thursday, June 18th, 2009 AT 9:57 AM
Tiny
ALBENGA
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
I seem to get the rattle noise when I put the engine in drive, although I have gotten it in idle at times. I used the stethescope on the valve cover, nothing and the fans and front end stuff, nothing. I jacked the car up and went underneath. I seem to be hearing the noise mostly when I touch the round housing piece that is attached to the transmission. It has the axle rod that goes over to the left front wheel coming out of it. The water pump and other things on the belt seem okay.

Paul in Florida
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Monday, June 22nd, 2009 AT 2:41 PM
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
O.K. Could be torque convertor or the bolts to flexplate are a little loose. Can you take that cover plate off and get a look and listen at pflex and torque?
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Monday, June 22nd, 2009 AT 3:51 PM
Tiny
ALBENGA
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
I don't know where those things are. Can you give me a link that will a picture of those things and an explanation? I can certainly do it.

Thanks,

Paul in Florida
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Monday, June 22nd, 2009 AT 4:32 PM
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
I think your on rear of trans. Does this cover look kinda P-Nut shaped? If yes this is rear cover in there is a transfere gear and the outputy gear. This needs a profesional to look into noise.
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Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009 AT 8:20 AM
Tiny
FBODIESCATFISH
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
What a problem - I too have had this problem for about a year now. Until last week the pulley on the altenator melted down - your pulley stops spinning 3 times per rotation, because it is a clutch type of pulley ($75 for just the pulley) but the alenator will run you about $180 pre-tax! Since your tensioner was probably bad, it has killed the alt. Pulley - put you scope on the body of the alt. While running at an idle, and see what you hear. I bet the rattle is loud! Try to replace the pulley, but its a real pain and takes an impact wrench and a 17MM hex allen head bit. I still need to replace the tensioner on my, it chips every once in a while. Good luck - we need it with our orphaned cars!
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Saturday, August 29th, 2009 AT 9:31 PM

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