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Bob Firment
Dodge Dakota
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4/24/2005
00:32:26
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 Subject: Rattle at idle
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I hear a rattle when the engine is under load at idle. It kinda sounds like thin metal rods rattling around, if that makes sense. It is a tinny, hollow sound. Any ideas? I have a 1997 with 138k miles.
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Dan M
Dodge Dakota
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4/24/2005
00:53:35
| RE: Rattle at idle
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the engine is under load at idle??
The timing chain in the 3.9's rattle when they need replacing. Mine sounded like the cat was starting to go bad. You said your truck has 138k miles, have you ever replaced the timing chain? It's supposed to be changed every 100k. There is a howto on replacing it here on the website, look on the main page.
- Dan M
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Bob Firment
Dodge Dakota
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4/24/2005
01:02:28
| RE: Rattle at idle
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I thought it might be the timing chain since it is original. I was wondering why it only hapens when under load but not when in park.
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Dan M
Dodge Dakota
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4/24/2005
08:10:20
| RE: Rattle at idle
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Definately replace it since it's original. While you're at it, i recommend replacing the water pump too. Part is not expensive and you need to pull it to get to the timing chain. Might as well kill 2 birds with 1 stone and not worry about replacing just the pump at a later date. Since you've got the coolant out as well, check your upper & lower radiator hoses. It's also a good time to replace thermostat if you want. Alot of people on here, myself included, run 180 tstat which is 1 range cooler than stock.
Mine rattled all the time, including at idle.
- Dan M
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jay
Dodge Dakota
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4/25/2005
18:55:16
| RE: Rattle at idle
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my 91 dakota 3.9l had 142000 miles on it. and it rattled too. they all do. i heard its nothing to worry about.
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Dan M
Dodge Dakota
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4/25/2005
23:11:22
| RE: Rattle at idle
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The timing chain will rattle as it stretches. There is a tensioner you can install to keep that from happening. Is the rattle normal? Yes, if the timing chain is stretched and needs replacing.
- Dan M
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jay
Dodge Dakota
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4/25/2005
23:15:04
| RE: Rattle at idle
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true, it could use replacing. but its no emergency. i would replace it soon, but basically when you can get to it. dont wait 50k miles though.
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homebrewny
Dodge Dakota
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4/26/2005
10:36:41
| RE: Rattle at idle
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Just a little FYI......my 97 3.9 has the same annoying rattle under or with no load at only 75,000 miles.
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jay
Dodge Dakota
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4/26/2005
10:47:53
| RE: Rattle at idle
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just get a v8:)
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mike142
Dodge Dakota
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4/26/2005
12:18:53
| RE: Rattle at idle
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My 99 ex cab has 174000 miles on it and rattled
since about 80000 so its no big deal. My 92 also
did this. If the motor needed other work I would
open it up to repair it (replace chain & sprockets) but the truck runs fine so I'm not going to worry about it.
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Dan M
Dodge Dakota
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4/26/2005
17:01:10
| RE: Rattle at idle
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when you replace the timing chain, put the tension on, this will help.
- Dan M
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BigDog
Dodge Dakota
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4/26/2005
17:54:29
| RE: Rattle at idle
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97 comes stock with tensioner Dan. Older engines have generated tsb's recommending a tensioner to eliminate rattle from slight play present in stock equipment. A better fix is to locate and purchase a double roller timing chain and gear set. Tensioner adds friction to the drive train and costs extra. For those applications that do not come equipped with a factory tensioner, my recommendation is forget the tensioner and buy a new water pump while it is disassembled. Your rattle however may be in the exhaust. Is your exhaust manifold equipped with a heat riser valve? Look at the manifold on the driver side for a round, thick, disc looking thing with a clockspring that rotates when you give it gas. Dead and dying cats rattle, PCV valves rattle, loose exhaust pipes and heat shields rattle.
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Bob Firment
Dodge Dakota
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4/27/2005
00:55:39
| RE: Rattle at idle
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I replaced the bcat a few years ago when it started rattling. This is a completely different sound. There is a double roller set on Ebay made by Elgin. Anyone ever use their stuff?
I just finished replacing the balljoints and stabilizer bar link which were very bad shape.
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Peter
Dodge Dakota
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4/27/2005
14:03:27
| RE: Rattle at idle
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I thought I had the timing chain rattle too, but I am pretty sure that it is sperk knock. Whenever I use a higher octane gas it definately gets a lot quieter. I am going to start checking for vaccum leaks.
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another mark
Dodge Dakota
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4/27/2005
18:57:50
| RE: Rattle at idle
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I'm wondering if the serpentine belt tensioner makes this same kind of sound too. I'm at 80k and just developed the rattle sound. I tried yanking on everything on the front end looking for something loose but couldn't find anything.
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since when?
Dodge Dakota
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4/27/2005
19:15:45
| RE: Rattle at idle
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It's supposed to be changed every 100k.
I have NEVER seen the timing chain be recommended for change at any milage, not even in the factory service manual. I know that TIMING BELTS sure need to be between 60 and 110,000 but only on those engines.
Some recommend INPECTION but never replacement just because the odo has so many miles.
97 comes stock with tensioner Dan.
not so dude, that was added in 00, I have had TWO 97 V6 and neither had it.
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since when?
Dodge Dakota
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4/27/2005
19:16:55
| RE: Rattle at idle
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dude the amount of mis-information on here amazes me, are ya'll not sure iffin ya'll be liberals, they be really good at it.
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moe
Dodge Dakota
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4/27/2005
19:19:35
| RE: Rattle at idle
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I noticed the belt tensioner pulley rattling on my truck. I always thought it was the timing chain, but my truck only has 35k so I decided to listen closer and found this out. I sprayed some silicone lubricant on the inside and it completely stopped so I was right, but after a day or two it always comes back, so just ignore it. I seems to only be loud on humid or rainy days.
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Curly
Dodge Dakota
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4/27/2005
19:54:51
|  RE: Rattle at idle
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maybe a mouse went up your tail pipe
if so all you gotta do is hold some cheeese
near the end of the pipe!
Hey Moe, Hey Larry, Cheese!!!!
n'yuck n'yuck n'yuck
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Dan M
Dodge Dakota
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4/27/2005
21:24:20
| RE: Rattle at idle
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Message:
The average life expectency is 100k miles. Though not all last that long, some last longer. It's recommend to change it at intervals to maintain engine performance. Any good tech would recommend this. Why would you not want to repace the timing chain at 100k miles? That's like not replacing your oil every 3 miles. If your timing chain breaks, you've got some potential serious problems. A little maintenace goes along way.
typical problems with bad/worn timing chains
bad gas milage
poor engine performance
backfiring through intake manifold
noise / annoyance
flakey ingition timing
rough idle
- Dan M
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Lewis G
Dodge Dakota
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4/28/2016
11:37:56
| RE: Rattle then dies
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Message:
I have a 97 3.9L engine and I had the engine
replaced a couple years ago. The rattle I hear
sounds like it might be the catalytic converter or
somewhere else. I don't have a rattle in the
engine area. Is it difficult replacing the
converter? Also, when I tried starting the engine,
it dies after I release the accelerator. Is this
the battery or alternator or something else?
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