Hello new to the forum

My wife’* Malibu has a rattling noise coming from the belt side of motor. I have never seen such a tight space to see what’* really going on. But it’* definitely something rattling along one of the pulleys it sounds like. I think it’* the tensioner pulley but the engine mount bracket sits right on top of that pulley and I cannot really figure if the noise is truly that pulley. It rattles as you accelerate to about 1800-2000 RPM’* and higher. Is there anyway to post a video on here so you guys could hear the noise?

Welcome.
How many miles on your Malibu?
You could post a youtube video for the rattling noise.
A mechanical stethoscope may help to allow you to hear which pulley or tensioner is bad.
Loosening the belt off and spinning the pulley'* by hand,& checking for play, may be the best way of finding which needs replacement.

It tried uploading a google drive video hope it works out. I’ll do YouTube later if G-Drive does not.
The car has 94k on it, it’* got that L4 2.4L DOHC 16v motor with what looks( hard to see down side of engine) to be only 4 pulleys; a alternator, tensioner, AC and a Crank pulley. The water pump does not have a pulley it’* built into the motor which I’ve never seen this configuration, and the power steering is not configured with the belt system either.

either way it sounds like the noise is coming form Alt. But simple trouble shooting of alt seems fine tests good of the battery with multimeter, shows no signs of bad electrical system and no dimming lights etc. This car has a crazy tight area to release tensioner pulley so I have not been able to get belt off last night and wiggle and spin each pulley. I plan to do that today when I go get a tool after work . In the mean time here is the the google drive video, hope it uploads. You’ll see It’* not a typical Whining o screech noise, it’* more of a rattle and crackle hope the video comes through and can show you

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1REd...w?usp=drivesdk

thanks again!

Soft Ride'* on to something with that stethoscope. That'd be my approach to it. I've had noises in the past that were tricky to nail down but that once I busted out with the stethoscope it made it alot easier to pinpoint.

Thanks for reply Silverado1994.

I got a nice tool today after work to get in that insane tight space and get that damn belt off. Not one of the pulleys were showing signs of replacement. I think I did find the noise. It actually seems it’* coming more so from the fuel injector area top of motor. Which really isn’t that far from the belt system. Don’t have a stethoscope and they didn’t have any at part store soI did the old school trick by taking a loonnggg screw driver and ear trick. It seems the noise is most prevalent in that area. I also got a p0102-mass air flow sensor “A” low. And p0113- air intake temp sensor 1 circuit high bank 1 codes today didn’t show up before. Could these codes cause a pinging and rattle in the injector area or anywhere else in the motor,Had no more time before bed to work on it anymore. Any thoughts would be great. Thanks

Well the intake air temp sensor is part of the MAF so the 102 and the 113 could be related but I don't think it'* causing the noise that you showed in the video. Gonna do a little poking around and see what I come up with. I have seen low oil levels cause rattling sounds out of these engines. It may be a dumb question but did you check the oil level already. My intent is not be insulting but to see if you've already got that check out of the way.

The only reason I even bring up the oil is because these engines have known oil consumption issues. I've got a 2011 Equinox with the same engine and I've had rattling sounds similar to what you're experiencing here only to find that the engine oil level was low. Just getting the easy stuff out of the way first.

Appreciate the reply. Hard to insult me so no worries hahah. Yes last weekend I did a oil change because the car was due. It was making a slight ping noise at that time but it didn’t sound like this. The car drove smooth and great until the last few days. Checked oil level just to see if it was low due to possible leak and the cause of the new noise, and oil lever is great. 🤔
money is tight right now and I hope I don’t have to bring it in and spend that $$.

Probably should have mentioned also prior to oil change last weekend I got a p0011 VVT code. I thought bc of dirty oil (I know that a know cause) and cleaned them and did oil change, Like I said it ran better no noise and code never came back since I cleared. Curious if that could be related still. Bc it’* closer proximity to the noise.

thanks

I think you've narrowed it down pretty safely Skibo. I would start by replacing the Intake Camshaft Position Actuator Solenoid Valve. I've replaced one on my wife'* Equinox after that code set and it took care of the light. It wasn't making noise but like you say this is a known problem with these engines. It'* not all that expensive (around $60) and it doesn't take a whole lot of time. If that fixes it I'd go ahead and replace the exhaust solenoid as well. It'* only a matter of time till that one fails as well.

As far as the insult thing goes, it'* really hard to tell the level of experience that another person has when first meeting them in an environment like a forum and then it'* hard to read the writers spirit of message through text sometimes so I'm glad you took it in the way that I intended. I'm a member on numerous scale modeling forums as well as an administrator on one of those and I've really had to watch my corrections / advice and how to word them. Man I'm here to tell you, I've seen alot of different people throughout my 9 years on forums and lots of times you've gotta put the kid gloves on with some of 'em. lol

I hear ya some people are just to sensitive lol. Hey either way thanks for your thoughts and ideas. I’ll keep you in mind and message you if I have any questions in the future with vehicles. Thanks again take care. And oh I’ll be back to this thread if that doesn’t work on the Malibu and if I have any more questions.
take care