PS timing chain rattle?

[sclemons]

98 SOHC 4.0L with 85K

It already had the cassette recall performed on it about a year ago. It has a rattle at idle (especially in gear) and *just* off idle. Just as you ease into the throttle, you can hear four or five distinct taps as the engine speed comes up.

The sound is clear as day in the cab. It seems to be coming from the underside of the engine. You can't hear it at all from under the hood.

Is there a recall for the rear cassette as well?

If not, does anyone know of a good way to diagnose the problem? Anybody tried to replace the cassette or chain on the PS side? Looks like the motor will have to come out.

 

[RickOTR]

I just had the same problem, and it was not the cassettes. I had them replaced about 14k miles ago. It ended up being the passenger catalytic converters. The honey comb material had worked it's way loose from the cat and that is what caused the rattle. Sounded like it was coming from the engine but it was from the cat.

 

[sclemons]

Thanks, I'm going to check everything out with the stethoscope tomorrow and see what I can figure out.

 

[CDW6212R]

Interesting Rick, the 99 that I'm about to use was lifted under the cats and torsion bars, by a fork lift. One cat sounds like something is loose. I'm betting that the fork lift broke the brick inside on mine.
Don