Hearing a bit of something, is it the timing chain?

[slingworks]

As usual, a little bit of something new creeps up on me.

I started noticing over a couple weeks a bit of strange noise coming from the 3.7 in my Liberty. It's not loud, but I can hear it at idle, at a stop light, etc. The sound is a combination of a sort of low variable whirring and a rhythmic light clatter.

At first I thought maybe was valvetrain/lifter noise, but it's not. As best I Can tell the lifters/valvetrain is running pretty smoothly.

Seems to be more to the front of the engine and I can hear it a bit over the rest, even after removing the serpentine belt

Thinking it may be the timing chain/tensioners/guides??

How many miles on this engine? I have no idea. It's not the original. I'm guessing probably between 125k and 175k.

I've changed plenty of timing belts and chains on other engines, but never a 3.7 Powertech. I'm wondering besides the chain/kit, what else would I need? Does it seal up with gasketry or is RTV'd in place? Just thinking mainly to order before I take anything apart.

As a side question, I'm wondering about the kits. I see Mopar Kits online that aren't crazy priced and Cloyes kits. Looks like the Cloyes kit is made in China and I wonder if it's any good? I get the feeling they may be the same kit that's sold on Amazon for $80, but marked up as a brand name.

Anyone have any thoughts?

 

[Toecutter]

If you go with a Mopar kit, research it thoroughly. I did a timing belt on a Chevy Cruz not long ago and bought an AC Delco kit. The wrong idler pulley was in it, so I had to get a Gates kit from the local parts store. Come to find out, the Gates kit was no different than the Delco....except it was cheaper. Same parts from the same manufacturers.

 

[slingworks]

If you go with a Mopar kit, research it thoroughly. I did a timing belt on a Chevy Cruz not long ago and bought an AC Delco kit. The wrong idler pulley was in it, so I had to get a Gates kit from the local parts store. Come to find out, the Gates kit was no different than the Delco....except it was cheaper. Same parts from the same manufacturers.

That doesn't surprise me at all...

(I have a Chevy Cruze that I bought at a garage sale).

I ordered a kit yesterday, but not 100% if I'm getting a deal or not. Rock Auto has S-A Gear timing kits on clearance for $88.

Looking at the photos it looks like the kit was good quality and I'm guessing maybe not Chinese?

Wont know until Wednesday or so....

 

[CarabouSpider]

I know this is a bit late compared to when you posted, but I wanted to share my experience from 2020.

My 2002 KJ had a similar noise, and my thoughts were also the timing chain maybe rubbing against the casing because I would only hear it when I took my foot off the gas. Had the timing assembly replaced, which didn't solve the noise but then shortly after that the engine spun a main bearing. Later on read on a random post that the rhythmic light clatter is a tell-tale sign of a bearing failing. Ended up having the engine rebuilt, and had to buy a new Mopar crank ($750-ish CDN, so not too bad) because the reconditioned EngineTech ones were out of stock at Rock Auto. The old crank was toast because with the rough surface, it was only 10-15 thou away from factory minimum, where polishing alone could take off 5 thou, so there wasn't much room to see if the crank could be saved.

I would recommend having the bottom end inspected and possibly replace the bearing in advance if you want to invest in the vehicle. That is if your KJ/KK hasn't already spun a bearing...