Noise on cold engine... Failed Tensioner?
 

Started up my otherwise great running (102,000 miles) 84 Carrera. New noise on cold start up. It sounded to me like a light clanging coming from the back (muffler side) of the engine. I first thought of a loose heat shield vibrating on the Cat converter - that's what it sounded like to me but it's not loose.

I then remembered the "dragging chain over a trash can" description of a failed tensioner. The noise is coming from that area of the engine but it is not a deep, scary sound. After a few minutes of warm-up the noise went away and the car ran and sounded fine.

Next cold start I will put my ear to the chain covers.. Any thoughts?

Kurt,

If I might suggest,......:)

Use a long-handled screwdriver as a "stethoscope" and put the tip against each chain cover upon cold start up. With your ear against the handle, you will hear everything going on inside there and by comparing left to right sides, you can determine if one of the tensioners is going bad.

Same goes for your cat, its heat shield and the muffler: by using the same technique, that screwdriver allows you to listen to what may be making the noise,.... :)

Thanks Steve,

What should normal, properly functioning tensioners sound like? I've never taken the time to put my ear up to them.

If it is my tensioners, is this basically a "park it until fixed" problem? I"m aware of what will happen if they give up completely so I'll get on it if necessary.

I had a similar noise recently, turned out it was the distributor needed servicing. i just checked by touching the chainboxes and vacuum port on dizzy,to feel the vibrations. noise not so much like chain dragging but more like an A/C clutch engaging/disengaging.