Abnormal engine noise at low revs

connor4576

Alright guys, I have put this up elsewhere with no luck. Hopefully someone here can help!

I have a 05 Vectra with the Z22YH engine. I have recently had to change the timing chain, using the new revised tensioner as my tensioner failed and the guide rail snapped in two which was causing it to bounce around my crankshaft.

Since replacing the timing chain, and before it, I hear a chain turning aound at low revs, typically between 1500-2500 rpm. So is this normal? Also the car idles slightly lumpy. When idling I get a constant vibration through the whole car and the engine sounds rough.

Any help on this would be greatly appreciated! Worth noting that the high pressure fuel pump was changed along with the fuel pressure regulator a few months back as I was running it with the old siemens pump.

evocarlos

hello
did you do the balancer chain at the same time as the main chain ?

connor4576

No I didnt do the balance chain at the same time, I was kinda hoping there would be other suggestions cause I realise how stupid this was haha.

I thought that most manufacturers stopped using chains in the first place because of the noise they made so was hoping that it might be normal to hear the chain. It is very faint and can only be heard when I listen for it. Unless I am at low revs and plant my foot, then I hear it louder but I took that as the engine struggling...

evocarlos

60% of most car manufacturers are now going back to chains 🙂

it could be the balancer chain is stretched and causing the noise and imbalance at idle
what does the engine sound like at idle when listening at the drivers wheel ?

connor4576

Its hard to explain, it sounds fine but has an intermittent stutter. The stutter is very slight though and the rev needle moves slightly as well. It vibrates a fair amount and can be felt throughout the whole car. When standing at the front of the car the engine vibrates intermittently and is noticeable, which seems obvious but the vibration when sitting in the car is constant opposed to irregular.

connor4576

I can hear a ticking noise as well when idling. I was just out again having a listen..

evocarlos

heres what a noisy balancer chain sounds like 🙂

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l25QrVQ22ik

connor4576

Thanks for the video mate, it doesnt quite sound like that but the roughness is sort of similar. Do you know if there is any way to check the balance chain without stripping the engine?

connor4576

Well your video inspired me to listen to a few others and I think you have confirmed my worst fear - that I am a pleb!

Seems like the cause is the balance chain, thank you for all your help and patience!

evocarlos

the balancer chain is behind the main chain and with out removing the lower pulley and oil pump/cover its pritty had to visually inspect