Ticking sound in engine near the timing belt assembly?

Tiny
RPJ
  • MEMBER
  • 2008 CHEVROLET AVEO
  • 1.6L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 189,000 MILES
Hello.

On my vehicle listed above, I've noticed a ticking sound from the engine near the timing belt assembly. It's not constant, every few seconds or so, but goes away after a couple of minutes.

I hear this at start-up, but I have not noticed it when driving.

Any advice/help is appreciated.

I've attached a video so you can hear it.

Thanks,

Roosevelt.
Video (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Tuesday, August 19th, 2025 AT 6:33 PM

9 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,601 POSTS
Hello Roosevelt,

Thanks for the video, it helps. This noise sounds like the timing belt tensioner bearing is going out. I would change the timing belt and tensioner to fix the problem. But to be sure I would remove the serpentine belt and start the engine to see if the noise is gone, if not do the timing belt job. Here are the timing belt marks to help you do the job. Check out the images (below). Please upload pictures or videos in your response so I can see the problem.
Images (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Wednesday, August 20th, 2025 AT 12:55 PM
Tiny
RPJ
  • MEMBER
  • 99 POSTS
Thanks Ken,

I will have the car checked out and let you know what the diagnosis is.

I appreciate your help.

Roosevelt.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, August 21st, 2025 AT 6:21 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,601 POSTS
Hello Roosevelt,

That would be great, I am interested in what you find.

, Ken
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Thursday, August 21st, 2025 AT 7:17 AM
Tiny
RPJ
  • MEMBER
  • 99 POSTS
Hello Ken,

My mechanic checked the vehicle and said there was engine damage. They do not do internal engine repair at this shop, so I'm not sure where to go from here.

This is a 1.6L, 17y/o car and I'm not sure if it's worth fixing. There is nothing leaking from the engine and there are no lights on the dashboard. The car drives OK, but I wonder how long I will be able drive it.

Thanks,

Roosevelt.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, August 25th, 2025 AT 7:15 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,601 POSTS
Did they check the timing belt? I would take it to a different shop for another opinion.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Tuesday, August 26th, 2025 AT 9:16 AM
Tiny
RPJ
  • MEMBER
  • 99 POSTS
They didn't as far as I know. I think they just listened to it.

I can try another shop and let you know.

Thanks.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, August 26th, 2025 AT 9:37 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,601 POSTS
Good call, let me know.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Tuesday, August 26th, 2025 AT 9:48 AM
Tiny
RPJ
  • MEMBER
  • 99 POSTS
Hello Ken,

Took my car to another shop, and you were correct, bearings in the timing assembly were going bad. Thank goodness it didn't fail.

Car is repaired and running fine. Thanks for your advice. I do wonder why the shop I normally use did not detect that.

But anyway, everything's good for now.
Thanks again for your help.

Roosevelt.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, September 14th, 2025 AT 6:41 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,601 POSTS
Yep, sometimes mechanics just miss problem, it is good to have another set of eyes on it :) use 2CarPros anytime we are here to help.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Monday, September 15th, 2025 AT 7:56 AM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related Timing Belt Content

Timing Belt
GUIDE
Timing Belt
Automotive combustion engines require either a timing chain or belt to keep the camshaft to crankshaft correlation correct as part of the design of the engine. A timing belt...
VIEW MORE