Pontiac Repair: Engine tick, timing belt tensioner, pontiac sunfire

Question
QUESTION: My 2001 Pontiac Sunfire 2.2 has a ticking noise which only starts after the engine warms up. It sounds just like the timing belt tensioner but I just had this replaced along with the serpentine belt. At the time those parts were replaced the other belt tensioner was checked and was working fine. Any ideas???

ANSWER: Hi Jill.

which 2.2 does trhis have an ecotech 2.2 or just a 2.2 liter engine. If it's the older style engine chances are it's a tensioner for the timing chain making nosie. it can be narrowed down but taking the serpantine drive belt off when the noise is there and restarting the enegine and see if it's gone or not. if it's still there with the belt off it's comming from the engine. if it's gone it's something that is driven by the drive belt. if theis has a lot of miles on it and has not been maintened on a consistent basis the timing chain tensioners on those engines wear out and or break cauing noise. Good luck :)


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: It is the 2.2 Liter engine. I just had a new timing chain tensioner installed  two weeks ago after having it replaced a year earlier and I only put 7,000 miles on the car before that one went bad. I noticed the ticking noise the day after I got the car back. It sounds just like the tensioner but only starts making the noise after the engine warms up, unlike the tensioner noise which was present right at start up. The noise is coming from the lower passenger side of the engine.  

Answer
It may need a chain as well as a tensioner. Like I stated in the last answer if theis engine was not has not been maintened regularly it was chain issues. there is a oil lubrication plug in the front of the engine block behind the timing cover that lubricates the chain and tensioner and if that plug gets sludged up the oil pressure from the engine will not properly lubricate the chain assembly. That would explain why you went through one in only 7,000 miles but getting is back the same day making noise it could need a chain or possably something deeper in the engine is making noise.