This is driving me crazy. I have a rattling noise in the front of the engine. Sounds like a marble rolling around in the oil pan or a loose muffler clamp. Usually goes away after the car has warmed up but tonight, not the case. Have used a screwdriver to listen and isolate but no luck. Checked P/S pump, alternator, water pump, A/C, valve covers. Can't find anything loose or out of place.

Anyone else ever have a problem like this? Looking for advice.

 

Cooling fan or the fan clutch?

 

Could be. Felt around the fan clutch and checked the blades. Nothing loose or rattling with the hands-on trial. Also checked the harmonic balancer and all pulleys. Nothing loose there. Again, everything seems tight and in order.

 

Noticed, I turn the steering wheel with the engine running, the noise seems to disappear. Wonder if putting pressure on the P/S pump has something to do with it. As I said, used the screwdriver to the ear trick and didn't hear anything from the P/S pump but steady whirring.

 

Remove the belts and run the engine to see if the noise goes away.

 

That's my next move.

Could the oil pump be a possible culprit? Now noticing my oil pressure light coming on at low idle. Longer than normal, anyway.

 

Could it be the heat shields on the exhaust manifolds? They used to sound like that.

Randy

 

Oil pressure light is not a good sign. Is your oil level low? It could be the exhaust heat riser rattling.

 

Checked the heat shields. Not the problem.

OldCutlass - Would the oil pump make a rattling noise like described?

 

Put your good hear (with a stethascope of course) around the timing chain cover and also check the fuel pump.

Good luck.

 

It's in the rear of the engine under the distributor.

 

BTW that is my favorite color combination (you Canadians take note of that fancy U.S. spelling of colour and favourite)

 

Check for loose bolts and nuts on all your accessory brackets.

 

OK, Double checked oil level - Full. Changed oil and filter two weeks ago. Thanks for the info on the oil pump. Wasn't sure where located. BTW - the oil sending unit is brand new. Old one leaked at the crimp on top.

Next, don't have a stethascope. Stuck with the screwdriver method. Checked fuel pump and timing chain. No Joy.

Thanks for the compliment on the colour scheme. Lot's o' Texans don't particularly care for it. Paint and upholstery are original colours.

 

BTW - Speaking of Texans, I are one. My wife wasn't but she said she got here as fast as she could.

Checked the bracket bolts and nuts, all tight and secure.

 

Mine was doing that. I thought it was upper valve train noise in the front of the motor. Turned out the water pump pulley was loose. With the belt on you couldn't wiggle the pulley at all. With the belt off there was a barely discernible jiggle. I tightened the pulley and it went away.

 

allyolds68,

I am going to take of all the belts tomorrow. Too late tonite and my garage is not well lit. Will check it out. Let's hope that's the problem.

Will let everyone know what I find.

 

I r 1 2

 

I have used the screwdriver stethoscope many times and will probably use it many more. I think it is worth mentioning how dangerous this is around spinning pulleys,belts etc. Good luck finding your problem. Noises like that will drive a man to drink

 

Also, a sloppy water pump will cause that noise, but you will hear that when you remove the belts. They get rusty and squeal and rattle. My wife lived in Houston but she left as soon as she could to get back home to me

 

Tim Taylor says to check your Kanooter valve........... apologies, sorry, I couldn't resist.

 

All part of the diagnostic process, I once had a Kanooter valve blow! Wow it was amazing. I wouldn't have known it though until I actually checked.

 

Check and see if the fan clutch shaft is loose in its housing, moving it front to back, actually hold the fan and rock it front to back to see if the clutch shaft rocks in the housing, also check to see if the tip of any fan blade is hitting the shroud
Steve.....Texan

 

Does it do it idling or under a load when you give it the gas? Could be a bad motor mount, engine rasing up enough that the fan hits the shroud.

Steve

 

It's not that check ball bouncing around in the crankcase ventilator? That PCV in your valve cover... Them things would be close to a marble rolling around..

 

I had a noise in my mopar that I couldn't figure out. It ended up being the bolts holding the crank pulley on the harmonic balancer had loosened up. Felt stupid but relieved when I found it. I could see it happening on a Olds also. I use a piece of vacuum tubing when listening for noises-best way I think. I even bought a automotive stethoscope years ago and was very disappointed with it. I get a 3-4 ft piece of 1/4 or 5/16 vacuum hose and stick the end in my ear ( not too far!!) and then put other end around engine or whatever you're trying to identify noise. Works great for me.

 

I spent $45. on a nice polished aluminum pcv valve and the thing would rattle then stop and rattle some more. I took it out and put an original in no rattle since... just my .02c

 

Consider a loose power steering pump pulley.

If it is loose, you will need a new key, and would probably benefit from lapping the shaft, like you would a valve.

- Eric

 

My small block made a marbling sound just before it went south. It sounded like the torque converter wasn't right. Then the oil pressure went away. I sincerely hope you don't have the same problem.

 

I had a ticking noise in my Corvette forever, drove me crazy. Took the pwr steering belt loose and it went away. Put on a new PS pump ticking noise still there. Turns out the pulley on the harmonic balancer was cracked at one bolt hole. New pulley, no tick! I was happy.
I would try what Oldcutlass said, remove all belts, or loosen them to no tension and see it the noise is still there. If not tighten one at a time see if it comes back.
Steve

 

To all that have posted advice, thank you. I will look at all the alternatives given. Figured out my oil pressure problem, which became first priority. Was the sending unit. I had just replaced it two months ago. Turns out the new one was bad so took it back and exchanged. That problem solved.

Regarding the rattle, it has not done it all day so haven't been able to do any checking. I am sure it will start up again. When it does, going to try everything. I like the idea of the hose to the ear. Could be helpful to isolate the noise.

Will keep you guys posted.

 

Any chance plugs have been installed in the exhaust crossovers?

 

Well I'm glad your oil pressure issue was minor and an easy repair.

 

If it's a loose pulley, bearing, or fan clutch, you should be able to feel it easily with your hand after removing the belts.

- Eric

 

Gentlemen,

Sorry for the long delay. Weather and work stalled my efforts. Today I removed all the belts and found the power steering pump was the problem. The pulley had slack and was causing all the noise. All is well in the Oldsmobile world today. P/S pump is a minor detail. Easily fixed.

Thanks to everyone who responded to my problem. CO is a great resource and the people are the best.

 

You'd better check the main bearings, just in case.

 

Way to go!

 

As I suspected.

You should be able to lap the shaft and pulley (with valve grinding paste) and replace the Woodruff key, and not have to change the pump.

- Eric

 

I know you found the problem,but I thought of a couple of things that make a noise for future reference.1st bad EGR valve opening and closing.2nd in the chevy's worn timing chain hitting the inside of the cover I've even seen them wear a hole in it.
railguy

 

It's the freakin mains I tell ya!


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