That's not timing chain, it's pinging.

Hmmm- I didn't question my diagnosis 'bout the noise my 22re is making. I've ordered my parts and getting ready to replace my timing componets.

The noise I am hearing is a rythmic rattling slap at the front of the engine.
It is there at all RPMs & temp.

Could it be something else? Does it sound like timing chain guide rattle to you guys?

I'm learning most of what I know about car repair as stuff breaks.

Mavranos,

You might want to separate out your questions from this thread about Rich and his engine noises. Helps keep confusion down.

Take an empty metal soda can and dump in a handfull of gravel. Now shake it like a moraca. That's very close to the sound you'll get from the timing chain slapping up against the timing cover when the guides break.

The noise happens almost exclusively at idle, when the tensioner is the most relaxed. It tends to go away when the engine is reved up off idle because the oil pressure jumps and the tensioner tightens up the chain. Only when everything is really shot does the noise continue in all rpms. At which point the timing cover is cut deeply enough that coolant dumps into the crankcase and the engine stops running shortly after.

A rythmic slapping noise at all rpms would be more indicative of excessive valve clearance on one of the rockers. Could also be a rocker going bad, it does happen on these engine. This is easily checked and fixed.

More distant possibilities are piston slap from a backwards piston installation, or a worn wrist pin.
[quote]Hmmm- I didn't question my diagnosis 'bout the noise my 22re is making. I've ordered my parts and getting ready to replace my timing componets.