I bought my 06 SS with 45k back in 08 and in the spring a bouncing marbles sound started coming from the belt area. I replaced the coupler this weekend, which actually looked fine, and after 140k miles the blower oil was semi clean. I put the new oem eaton coupler and ZZP oil in but it still sounds like marbles. So my car puts the myth to bed about needing to change the oil every 50k miles. The teflon coating on the blower thingymajigs had a couple light scratches but it's nice and tight still so I don't THINK it needs bearings. But the marbles sound only happens on cold start ups and goes away after 1-2 minutes. Which sounds like a bearing issue in either the blower or timing system. Is there anything in the timing chain area that could make this sound?

I'm debating on having GM replace the timing chain but something tells me that won't fix it either. I saw the Cloyes kit is only $115 from RockAuto but how hard is it to replace it all, especially if you don't have the manual? I usually tear stuff apart and figure out how to put it back together, which may not be a good idea on a timing system! I don't like aluminum puddles. Any ideas on my mystery sound?

 

sounds like your car is ruined, strap yourself in and drive that bitch into a lake.

 

Timing chain tensioner

 

Yup

 

I was planning on replacing that whole tensioner assembly because the angled pulley looks "off". But what mileage are tiing chains supposed to be serviced? Mise well handle both at the same time if it's feasible to do it myself.

 

The timing chain tensioner can be replaced without chain or valvecover removal if careful