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Old Feb 2, 2014 | 02:04 PM
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Default Engine Rattle

The engine is rattling on light acceleration. Sometimes it goes away quickly other times if I hold the throttle at the right position it stays. Hard acceleration I hear nothing.

Any thoughts??
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Old Feb 2, 2014 | 02:11 PM
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I read some time ago here that one member had loose bolts where the muffler mounts attach to the frame or something. I'd get it on a lift and see if you can find any loose bolts under the car. It's probably a simple issue.
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Old Feb 2, 2014 | 02:16 PM
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Direct Injection. It does make some noise.
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Old Feb 2, 2014 | 02:43 PM
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Rattling, what fuel grade are you using? What you describe sounds like detonation caused by low fuel grade or the engine's timing is off. Have your dealer Investigate to determine the cause.
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Old Feb 2, 2014 | 04:53 PM
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Originally Posted by grandadsvette
The engine is rattling on light acceleration. Sometimes it goes away quickly other times if I hold the throttle at the right position it stays. Hard acceleration I hear nothing.

Any thoughts??
Hey grandads,

Since you are still under your warranty, head into the dealership so they can get an ear on the rattling. If you would like us to contact your dealership first to let them know what is happening, let us know through PM. Include your information, VIN, mileage and dealership.

Happy Super Bowl,

Kelly J.
Chevrolet Customer Care
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Old Feb 2, 2014 | 05:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Chevy Cust Svc
Hey grandads,

Since you are still under your warranty, head into the dealership so they can get an ear on the rattling. If you would like us to contact your dealership first to let them know what is happening, let us know through PM. Include your information, VIN, mileage and dealership.

Happy Super Bowl,

Kelly J.
Chevrolet Customer Care
Does it get any better than that???
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Old Mar 1, 2014 | 02:56 PM
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Default Rattle

Originally Posted by grandadsvette
The engine is rattling on light acceleration. Sometimes it goes away quickly other times if I hold the throttle at the right position it stays. Hard acceleration I hear nothing.

Any thoughts??
I have a C7 with 3600 miles and mine is doing the same thing. It sounds like its on drivers side and possibly a heat shield. Somewhere around 1600 and 1800 rpm car in gear and warm. Doesn't seem to do it in neutral only in gear under a load.
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Old Mar 1, 2014 | 03:53 PM
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Update: Went to dealer and had them check it out. They had to call GM engineering. What they found is the serpentine belt tensioner has a small leak in hydraulic fluid. That causes the belt to become loose. The harmonic vibration of the engine during cylinder deactivation at low RPM with little acceleration causes this belt to squeak and rattle.

GM states that they have seen this on a few cars and that they will replace the belt tensioner.
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Old Mar 1, 2014 | 04:45 PM
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Originally Posted by grandadsvette
Update: Went to dealer and had them check it out. They had to call GM engineering. What they found is the serpentine belt tensioner has a small leak in hydraulic fluid. That causes the belt to become loose. The harmonic vibration of the engine during cylinder deactivation at low RPM with little acceleration causes this belt to squeak and rattle.

GM states that they have seen this on a few cars and that they will replace the belt tensioner.
Interesting--good to note. Glad your dealer has the initiative to call GM Engineering.
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Old Mar 1, 2014 | 05:53 PM
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Originally Posted by grandadsvette
Update: Went to dealer and had them check it out. They had to call GM engineering. What they found is the serpentine belt tensioner has a small leak in hydraulic fluid. That causes the belt to become loose. The harmonic vibration of the engine during cylinder deactivation at low RPM with little acceleration causes this belt to squeak and rattle.

GM states that they have seen this on a few cars and that they will replace the belt tensioner.
Thanks for the update. Makes this a useful thread to me and one of the reasons I'm in here, besides, you know, killing time until mine arrives.
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Old Mar 1, 2014 | 06:44 PM
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Hydraulic fluid in a belt tensioner? Huh? It's a pulley and a spring. I say BS.
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Old Mar 1, 2014 | 11:04 PM
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Yep, that's exactly what's going on with mine.

The seal on the hydraulic tensioner pulley has blown it's seal & now it's make this ticking or rattling noise. You have to hunt for it a little bit with the throttle, but from 1500-2000rpm on up til ???. Almost sounds like an exhaust leak on mine.

Wormwood
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Old Mar 2, 2014 | 12:19 AM
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Thanks for posting your problem and the fix.
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Old Mar 2, 2014 | 05:14 AM
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I took my car to the dealer and they replaced the belt tensioner. Rattle went away. The rattle happened only under mild acceleration at 1500 rpm. It was in the engine compartment and sounded like a hard plastic pecking a metal surface. GM engineer solved the case.
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Old Mar 2, 2014 | 07:34 AM
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Originally Posted by Eodgunny
Does it get any better than that???
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Old Mar 2, 2014 | 10:37 AM
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Was there any visible sign that can be checked? I'll have to go look. My rattle seems to come most from the manual transmission under light throttle. Maybe its the belt tensioner.
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Old Mar 2, 2014 | 10:45 AM
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Originally Posted by mksz51
Hydraulic fluid in a belt tensioner? Huh? It's a pulley and a spring. I say BS.
Yes, of course. GM makes a diagnosis, dealer repairs the issue and the problem goes away. Obviously this is a conspiracy to hide the REAL issue which must involve the NSA.

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Old Mar 2, 2014 | 12:49 PM
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Originally Posted by Torch Red C7
Yes, of course. GM makes a diagnosis, dealer repairs the issue and the problem goes away. Obviously this is a conspiracy to hide the REAL issue which must involve the NSA.

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Old Mar 2, 2014 | 02:29 PM
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Originally Posted by FOOTR 1
Was there any visible sign that can be checked? I'll have to go look. My rattle seems to come most from the manual transmission under light throttle. Maybe its the belt tensioner.
Because I was not part of the solution, I did not see any visible signs but the technician said there was a oil leak that caused the issue. It must be very minimal because it did not show in the garage floor.
My car is automatic, but I think this is not relevant.
Good luck.
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Old Mar 2, 2014 | 03:21 PM
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