I reseled my lower oil pan trying to stop a leak on my 97 SE. After getting everything repalced and buttoned up, I heard an noise I had never heard before on my engine. Its a rattle similar to a lifter rattle thats coming from around my timing chain housing. Would a oil pressure dip cause the chain to lose tension? Any ideas?

 

I have the same symptoms and I'm wondering as well. I also get a light whine (sounds like a turbo, rarwrr!) that follows RPM. Both started gradually in my case.

Search the forum for info on timing chain tensioners - they wear out and can need replacement. The whine noise worries me - I sure hope it's not my power steering pump or new alternator.

 

The whining sound is usually an alternator. No prob to fix.

 

Yes it is

I just had it installed last year under the recall. I would be extremely ****ed if it's going bad already.