02 Saturn SC2 Crappy Idle Noise, Drive Belt or Timing Chain?

This car runs smoothly and has super high MPG (40 on clear highway).
The only problem is this crappy idle noise. When the car warmed up and idle drops to 800, one can hear it. When you drive it and engines speeds up, it is gone. I could only hear it when the engine is between 800 and 1000.
Opening up the hood the noise is from around the drive belt. Not sure if it is from the drive belt or timing chain. Any idea? Thanks!

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Autos & Vehicles

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• MOV00011

[stockman1963]

Mine gets noise when oil is low. I use synthetic oil. 10w -30. Replaced mine tensioner it was noisy -bearing were going out. How do you get 40 MPG. at what speed, 65 , 55 or 75 mph ? MIne mostly gets about 30 to 31 all the time. I drive half highway half city stop/go.

Have you done any mods to make mileage better ?

[dsmmike92]

did you oil up that supercharger

[apcp2002]

Sounds like mine did awhile back just after I bought it, ended up being the pulley tensioner but I just replaced the idler pulley as well for the cost I figured might as well when I'm at it! Old video so I know you got it fixed by now but thought I'd comment anyways, Borden!lol

[Ls7colorado]

I know im late but thats deffinantly the chain for anyone else whos car i smaking this sound.

[rgrafton]

mine sounds the same man! i have the SOHC



[yankeesrule447]

definitely the timing chain after a while the chain tensioner maxes out and begins to slap around inside. my chain snapped at 126,000 and bent 6 of my valves if you havnt replaced it yet then you should seriously consider it

[shelbywb]

Sounds like your timing chain guides, bad tensioner or I could be very well a stetched chain

[carkid617]

and could also be caussed by tinsioner, motor mount, or lifters try putting some lucus for your oil in the car that might help youll know if its the lifters when you put that in just do it and let car run for about 30 minutes if the noise stops then it was just your lifters hope that helps

[carkid617]

i personally think its the timing chain my car was making the same sound i replaced the timing chain and it was better when these cars get around 140k miles it gets close to time to change the timing chain anyway

[AndreasMinChen]

People said it is the the intake valve stems or rocker arms. They also said we could live with that without any ill effect. I tried 0.5qt Marvel Mystery Oil in the oil, which quited down the valves a little bit but did not cure.