jcocke

Hello all,

I'm new to this forum so bear with me. I have a '97 HB and it has had this ticking/knocking sound while under a load for quite some time (like 30k miles). I think the sound is getting worse (meaning a lesser load makes it happen). Its not "knocking" b/c I've done all the obvious things with no effect: timing is sitting about 8-10 degrees BTDC, plugs look ok, switched to higher octance fuel, etc. Its really bothering me now b/c I can't seem to pinpoint where it is coming from and I am fixing to sell it (to my boss nonetheless!) and I'd like to at least know what it is, even if I can't easily fix it.

Right now I am leaning towards the timing belt tensioner, mainly b/c I am out of ideas. Could a lack of oil flow through the tensioner cause it to knock/tick under load? The sound is nonexistent at idle or when revving it with no load, but I do hear a similar noise at cold start up (like when the oil hasn't fully circulated through things). But the thing continues to run great.

Has anyone else had a similar problem? What was the cause and/or fix? Any help is appreciated.

-Jason