Guest erkware
Hi guys, I hate to swoop into this forum without contributing first, but I'm in a tough position. My 1998 Toyota Corolla 5speed (120k) rattles like a banshee at idle. It's clearly a cam chain type noise. Taking off the valve cover, we can see that it has alot more slack then one would expect. The sound is not audiable as the car drives, just at idle. Oil level is ok. It's been like this for a couple months, so I'm not (too) worried it'll jump a tooth, but I'd like to have it fixed.
We tried replacing the cam chain tentioner but the sound continues.
Now my mechanic wants to replace the cam chain and guides, but this will be very expensive. I'm hoping someone will have heard of this problem and has some advice to offer.
My father has the exact same car, and his started to rattle about a year ago. We tried replacing the tensioner, but the sound returned the next day. He took it to the dealer and they replaced a couple "vaccum valves" or something of that nature for $500 and the sound went away... (weird eh?)
Also, I have an exhaust leak around the head/downpipe, we can hear the noise, but can't pinpoint the leak (no black marks anywhere), is there some place common that these cars leak from? I'm just hoping its not manifold crack?
Thansk very much!