04 3.6L Timing Chain Whine?

Top-Gun · #1 (**permalink**) 10-27-07, 06:07 PM

I just recently picked up an 04 3.6L with 70,000 miles. When I bought the car I noticed a bit of whine noise coming from the front of the engine, especially under acceleration and when reved in neutral but figured it was just a tensioner or idler pulley with bad bearings. After pulling the accessory belts off and briefly running the motor with no accessories attached, I've determined the whine is coming from the front of the engine where the timing set is.

I searched the forums and noticed quite a few posts about front engine whine, even saw a couple TSB's related to the issue. From what I've read some whine from these motors is normal but I'm trying to gauge just how much can be considered normal. My motor almost sounds like its turning a quiet supercharger, under steady driving it isn't really noticeable but is apparent under acceleration, high rpm's, and very noticeable if revved in neutral. It's louder when cold as well, the whine somewhat quells once the motor is up to temp. With the hood open or standing outside the car its fairly loud. The noise also changes pitch with engine RPM's.

I'm trying to judge whether or not I should be tearing into the motor to replace anything in the timing system that may be worn (assume there has to be chain guides or tensioners that can wear out). The car runs fine otherwise with no codes showing, just don't want to leave something that may be a problem.

Thank you

Rob

Top-Gun · #2 (**permalink**) 10-28-07, 09:57 PM

Anyone elses car have a similar noise or has anyone ever opened up the timing cover on a 3.6L and can comment on what could be making the whine?

BigPapaH · #3 (**permalink**) 10-28-07, 10:31 PM

I have the exact same thing. I have no idea what is causing it and my dealer says he doesn't hear a thing. I also thought it was an idler pully or an accessory. I am going to take it back in after it gets really cold outside, because, like you, it gets really loud when it is cold. Hope someone else chimes in. This has bugged me since the car was new.

Top-Gun · #4 (**permalink**) 10-28-07, 10:56 PM

Too me it sounds like either the timing chain has stretched or for some reason has developed excessive clearance between the cam gears and the chain but I find that hard to believe on a car with 70,000 miles. At idle I can hear an odd pattern of knocking coming from the timing cover, almost sounds like a bad chain roller or something going around and smacking into the gear teeth as it goes around. Really worrys me since I just got this car and its out of dealer warranty so I'm on the hook for any repairs.

Kael · #5 (**permalink**) 10-29-07, 12:08 PM

its the normal noise of the engine, honest.
there was a design change for 06 that gave the engine another noise buffer on the timing chains because so many people complained about it. no real engine change just some padding to dampen the noise.

the chains are self adjusting so i doubt they are loose especially only at 70k

Custom88 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-29-07, 12:21 PM

Mine is loud as well. People that ride with me say they think it makes it sound high-performance. lol.

Top-Gun · #7 (**permalink**) 10-29-07, 06:02 PM

Ha sweet you guys made my day, I was dreading the thought of having to tear into the thing. Thanks.

mikes2nd · #8 (**permalink**) 12-21-08, 12:46 AM

Uhg has anyone tried an 06 timing chain "deadener" on a 04?

Seems the 04's are the problems...

This is the reason people buy japanese... The rear diff... the trunk shocks, the sqeaker lower control arms... I mean uhg...

I guess I learned my lesson on buying GM...

MuGeN · #9 (**permalink**) 12-21-08, 01:20 AM

You need to change the timing chain my friend... I work on a cadillac dealer since 7 years and never got problem with timing chain since the beginning of the 3.6L and 2.8L engine! I have done like almost 60 cars without exageration and we work 2 guys in the motor section. On 2004, you need to change the 3 chains. There are 1 primary and 2 secondary. There are a slight modification to do when you change those chain. The primary must be replace with a new part number and the 2 idler sprockets must be change cause the primary chain is not the same design. The problem of those chains is because they stretch and the tensionner can not take the play... After you will change those chains, the noise gonna disapear! I have done mine last week cause a buy my 2004 cts and got that noise... That job is very expensive... Good luck!!

MuGeN · #10 (**permalink**) 12-21-08, 01:22 AM

Oh by the way they got those probleme with the new generation of cts with 3.6L but in addition got some cars that have a cam end play issue and must install shim between cam actuators and cams on bank 2 cylinder head.

concorso · #11 (**permalink**) 12-21-08, 02:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikes2nd

Uhg has anyone tried an 06 timing chain "deadener" on a 04?

Seems the 04's are the problems...

This is the reason people buy japanese... The rear diff... the trunk shocks, the sqeaker lower control arms... I mean uhg...

I guess I learned my lesson on buying GM...

oh give me a break...you think the japanese vehicles are faultless, you have your head up your ass...I cant tell you how many times my parents lexus has been in for repairs...transmission had to be fully replaced at only 31k. Do you remember when the Prius had a mass recall because the steering shaft could break? How about all the new complaints regarding engine sludge practically across the board at Toyota?

Personally, I can deal with the noise of a timing chain so I dont have to deal with a belt.

BLACK CTS · #12 (**permalink**) 12-21-08, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MuGeN

You need to change the timing chain my friend... I work on a cadillac dealer since 7 years and never got problem with timing chain since the beginning of the 3.6L and 2.8L engine! I have done like almost 60 cars without exageration and we work 2 guys in the motor section. On 2004, you need to change the 3 chains. There are 1 primary and 2 secondary. There are a slight modification to do when you change those chain. The primary must be replace with a new part number and the 2 idler sprockets must be change cause the primary chain is not the same design. The problem of those chains is because they stretch and the tensionner can not take the play... After you will change those chains, the noise gonna disapear! I have done mine last week cause a buy my 2004 cts and got that noise... That job is very expensive... Good luck!!

Do the 05's have the new chains?? Is this an 04 problem?

MuGeN · #13 (**permalink**) 12-21-08, 09:43 PM

I'm not sure if the 2005 got the new chain but wathever the year its a common problem from 2004 to 2008! For sure the new design of chain is on 2006, 2007 and 2008. Less problem on 2004 though... Let me check if the 2005 got the new design...

mikes2nd · #14 (**permalink**) 03-23-09, 03:55 PM

I am looking at doing this... it drives me nuts and I was wanting to replace the water pump...

04srx_used · #15 (**permalink**) 04-20-09, 05:43 PM

On the issue of timing chains. I have an 04 SRX 3.6 with 60k miles. It seems on any cold starts that there is a brief 4-7 seconds noise in the front of the motor. I think it is a lose timing chain assembly or part. After that time it goes away and sounds very normal. Your thoughts?