Another question about a weird rattle in my 2003 Jeep Liberty

[BarbaraD]

I’m new to this site so be kind. My question is about the mystery rattle which seems to come from the front part of my car. Mechanic diagnosed the tensioner. They replaced that part and then within a couple of weeks, the noise started again. Took it back to the mechanic to re-diagnose and was told that the mounting spring (?) was bad so they put in a new tensioner at no charge to me. That was a few weeks ago and I swear the noise is starting again. Could it possibly be the transmission? I also noticed that the noise is worse when I turn on the ac. Is the ac the problem? Should I bring it back to the mechanic? If it’s the catalytic converter, wouldn’t there be a distinct rotten smell?

 

[CHIPPER146]

I went through three "NEW" tensioners before I found one that worked. Bring it back and exchange it for another one until you find a good one. They are super easy to change.

 

[tommudd]

I’m new to this site so be kind. My question is about the mystery rattle which seems to come from the front part of my car. Mechanic diagnosed the tensioner. They replaced that part and then within a couple of weeks, the noise started again. Took it back to the mechanic to re-diagnose and was told that the mounting spring (?) was bad so they put in a new tensioner at no charge to me. That was a few weeks ago and I swear the noise is starting again. Could it possibly be the transmission? I also noticed that the noise is worse when I turn on the ac. Is the ac the problem? Should I bring it back to the mechanic? If it’s the catalytic converter, wouldn’t there be a distinct rotten smell?

Depends on brand of the tensioner
cheap and quality are not the same

 

[BarbaraD]

I went through three "NEW" tensioners before I found one that worked. Bring it back and exchange it for another one until you find a good one. They are super easy to change.

Ok…thank you!!

 

[BarbaraD]

Depends on brand of the tensioner
cheap and quality are not the same

Makes total sense. Thank you! If I bring it back to the mechanic they’ll probably replace this current one with the same. Guess I’ll need to purchase one myself snd have my son change it out. Thanks again.

 

[CHIPPER146]

Depends on brand of the tensioner
cheap and quality are not the same

Goes without say.

 

[BarbaraD]

Goes without say.

Yes. I have no idea what brand the mechanic had used. The first one had a bad mounting spring (or something along those lines). I’m going to buy oem from the Jeep dealer now. Figured I’d better have the serpentine belt replaced at the same time. It was replaced prior to the 2 bad tensioners but I don’t want to take any chances that there’s been any damage to it.

 

[BarbaraD]

So now that the 2nd new tensioner is failing, I’m going ahead and replacing both it and the serpentine belt with OEM parts.

 

[J.C.]

So now that the 2nd new tensioner is failing, I’m going ahead and replacing both it and the serpentine belt with OEM parts.

I had similar issues, and ended up replacing all of the idler pulleys, the belt tensioner, and the alternator pulley.

The alternator pulley has a self aligning, one way drive clutch built into it, so that the alternator can freewheel when the engine speed drops suddenly.
https://dayco.com.au/buyersguide.aspx?P=OAP027

 

[BarbaraD]

I had similar issues, and ended up replacing all of the idler pulleys, the belt tensioner, and the alternator pulley.

The alternator pulley has a self aligning, one way drive clutch built into it, so that the alternator can freewheel when the engine speed drops suddenly.
https://dayco.com.au/buyersguide.aspx?P=OAP027

 

[BarbaraD]

Good suggestion definitely something to consider. Thank you so much.

 

[Billwill]

Only the CRD and the 2.4 L 4 cylinder have an alternator with a one-way clutch fitted!

This is to compensate for the 4 cylinder roughness which the V6 does not have.