Noise at timing belt

Tiny
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  • 2003 LEXUS IS 300
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 229,000 MILES
Bought it knowing it has a noise. When started cold she is as smooth as silk, after few minutes you will start hearing this slap like around the timing belt area. I saw that the belt looks new so someone may have replaced it. These are interference motors? If a valve has hit I would have noticed the noise all the time or had rough idling. Car drives great and smooth with no check engine light or codes. Removed the serpentine tensioner and replaced it, serpentine belt looks new. Just baffles me why it makes it after few minutes rather than all the time.
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Thursday, January 14th, 2021 AT 3:48 PM

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Tiny
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Good evening.

Great video, thank you.

You have an issue here that concerns me. What I believe is happening in the oil pressure is going too low when it warms up and the timing belt tensioner runs on oil pressure. If it does not have enough pressure, the belt will slack up and it will slap the timing cover.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-timing-belt-works

What you need to do is have the oil pressure tested manually to be sure it is correct. You need 20 pounds at a hot idle and 40 pounds at 1,200 RPMs. The oil pressure sensor needs to be removed and a manual gauge installed for this test.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-noises

I attached a youtube video for you to view.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ow2SMLu0sI

Roy

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Thursday, January 14th, 2021 AT 4:24 PM
Tiny
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Hmm, good point, but wouldn't I have issues with the lifters and they would tick if the pressure is low? Have not looked at the tensioner as it is buried in, don't know if it's old or new or whether it has been replaced too. Is the oil pressure tested the same as fuel pressure tester gauge? Or vacuum gauge? Can either be used?
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Thursday, January 14th, 2021 AT 5:01 PM
Tiny
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Also, doesn't the tensioner has its own oil inside the tensioner? I don't think it relies on oil pressure.
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Thursday, January 14th, 2021 AT 5:03 PM
Tiny
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Yes, but in the video, I did hear some knocking around in the motor.

Some of the tensioners have oil pressure feed and some have their own oil.

You will need to tear down the front of the motor and inspect.

Roy
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Thursday, January 14th, 2021 AT 5:09 PM
Tiny
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So when you first start it pressure is at 60.
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Saturday, January 30th, 2021 AT 9:32 AM
Tiny
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At 3,000 RPMs it's 70.
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Saturday, January 30th, 2021 AT 9:32 AM
Tiny
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After she has gotten warm its also around 55 if I pit it in gear so at its lowest RPM the pressure is 42.
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Saturday, January 30th, 2021 AT 9:37 AM
Tiny
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I would check the timing belt tension to be sure it is not too slack.

Roy
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Saturday, January 30th, 2021 AT 9:38 AM
Tiny
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1/2 need your opinion.
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Monday, February 1st, 2021 AT 9:39 AM
Tiny
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2/2
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Monday, February 1st, 2021 AT 9:41 AM
Tiny
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Removed the pulley and cover and ran it, no noise, am almost leaning toward the plastic cover rubbing, also there was a lot of oil in the area, cleaned it out and and ran it and saw oil on the right side pulley, must be coming from behind the pulley, the seal. How easy is it to replace it?
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Monday, February 1st, 2021 AT 11:06 AM
Tiny
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Bad harmonic balancer, rubbing against cover.
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Monday, February 1st, 2021 AT 12:12 PM
Tiny
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Good find.

Remove the gear and the seal is right there.

Roy
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Monday, February 1st, 2021 AT 12:39 PM
Tiny
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You ever replaced the seal behind this VVT gear? Ordered one off of eBay which is OEM but it is so difficult to install, even if I stretch it and hold it in place it slides off of the grove because it isn't deep.
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Wednesday, February 24th, 2021 AT 3:29 PM
Tiny
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I used a socket that was the exact size of the seal and lightly tapped it in.

They do make a tool for it but only the dealer sells it.

Roy
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Thursday, February 25th, 2021 AT 2:01 AM
Tiny
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Yes, I tried things similar in size before but none was same size, if the can pulley was out would have been easy. Cut the ring and installed it then added a film of thick silicone and let it dry overnight then put it together. All good. Thanks for your help.
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Thursday, February 25th, 2021 AT 5:26 PM
Tiny
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You are welcome.

Always glad to help.

Roy
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Thursday, February 25th, 2021 AT 5:28 PM

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