Carina Ii 1.6 Auto 1990 - Worn Bearings?

[DTM]

HELP PLEASE - my Carina II produces a rattling noise on acceleration mainly around 2000 rpm. It is also more noticeable when going up hills etc. But if you put the accelerator down hard the rattle stops. I'm concerned it may be the bearings going (Big End?) but would welcome other possibilities. Car has done 164,000 miles now and seems to lack power but this may be due to it's age (1990 model).

[Wombleman]

When did you last change the timing belt and tensioners? They make a rattle when worn - and the engine will make a terminal bang if it breaks.

[DTM]

The Timing Belt was changed at about 120,000 miles so could be getting worn - should have another 15,000 miles yet according to the schedules though. Not sure what the tensioners are - would they be changed at the same time normally?

[jamesholden]

A friend of mine's CarinaII was making a chirpy/rattling type sound when the car was under load and it turned out to be the alternator, he got a cheap new one for a Corolla of eBay and is now silent.

[DTM]

Perhaps i should add that the car is a real devil to start at the moment - especially in the morning! The Battery is new so it's not that - the engine seems to turn over but has difficulty catching. I have to keep pumping the accelerator and if i'm lucky it will finally roar into life. Not sure if this is related to the rattling or not - maybe if the alternator isn't working perhaps the Battery is undercharged and this is causing problems starting???

[bigmark]

I notice that a lot of Carina owners are having an engine rattle at approx. 2000rpm under load. My own Carina has almost exactly the same symptoms as those described by DTM. The suggested causes include the water pump, timing belt tensioner, AC compressor drivebelt tensioner, pinking, and probably others. I have had this rattle for about 2 years now and am reluctant to start changing water pumps, tensioners etc. in a "trial and error" fashion hoping to find the correct cause, especially since in all other respects my Carina runs beautifully.

Regards

Mark