Beating the dead horse. Death Rattle Question.

[DrCheeto]

Ok guys, just wanted some input on this...

My '02 has had slight timing chain rattle upon cold starts for about a year now... Only on the first start of the day, and usually lasted no more than 1-2 seconds, so I didn't worry about it.

My g/f has been driving the truck for about 2 months, and I took possession of it again the other day, and the noise has increased in severity... It rattles for about 10-15 seconds now, and does it any time the truck has been off for an hour or so..

Still have not experienced any other noises.. No noises between 2.5k-3000k , once it quiets up, its quiet the entire time it runs.

I have an emergency road trip I have to take here in the next 2 days... Am I playing with fire here? I've seen so many conflicting stories here.. Some people seem to drive them for years, some people are afraid to, I've only seen a handful of posts about broken chains/jumped timing...

Any Input? I'll replace the tensioners and go from there when I get back, but I need some input on taking the truck for a trip...

Thanks!

 

[therealblinky]

you should be fine on this trip. i have had the death rattle for years now and it hasnt quit yet and i regularyl make 800k trips every summer. as long as your not beating on it you should be good.

 

[Drewstang]

I beat on mine all the time and I've had the rattle for 2-3 years.

 

[JoeCool6972]

I can tell you this much, it is an expensive fix at the dealer. Around $2000.