Thread: SR20DE sound

Hey guys...first of all this is kinda noob thread. I bought this thing lately and it was okay (looks like shit but it runs and drives no problems whatsoever, or at least it was). My SR20DE does not sound nice on idle, maybe I'm just being paranoid and I'm hearing things so if you think its okay just tell me, but I'm kinda sure this is not how SR20 should sound like any tips/experience what could it be? Btw its N15 Almera GTI. Cheers

My money is on bad pulley, it sounds just like a bad tensioner pulley on a friends car. Squeaky whirr whirr noise.

Put a mechanics stethoscope to the block nearest where you think the sounds coming from. This can help identify a bad pulley or a/c clutch.
Does the sound go away with air on or off by chance?

I'm 100% sure it't not an AC because I don't have one lol but the tensioner pulley...I saw one additive to the oil from Bosch that has something to do with tensioners. Any experience with those? This question sounds stupid, but hey, it's my first car ever..is there a big chance of chain skipping teeth with tensioners in condition like mine? Btw. when should the chain be replaced? On the almeraownersclub guys are telling me that the chain on sr20 doesnt get much stretch so I don't have to worry about it..bt hey they told me that THIS is how SR20 sounds like and that its fine

Dont bother with oil additives, regular oil changes ftw

The chain does not skip teeth on SR20's, but it can be noisy. There is an upper chain guard under the valve cover that likes to scrape on the chain when it gets old. Most people delete this part, as it serves no critical use whatsoever.



If you are conserned about noise, start with removing that piece of metal. If you still have a noisy chain, consider replacing the timing chain tensioner and guides. I presonally wouldn't bother, just drive it

Thanks for replies! I'm gonna remove the chainguard for sure, I was going to paint the valve cover so I would have opened it anyway I read some topics about chain skipping teeth (DETs mostly) so I got concerned

^This, take that thing out. Weight savings...