This can't be good.

[Papa Rad17]

Well I think my wallet is about to take a serious hit...
The past month- noticed slightly dropped gas milage from normal.
The past few weeks-niticed oil slightly going down, Im almost certain it burin it because the exsauat tips are coated black, however it's not spitting out blue smoke. Also not idling as smooth as usual, and maybe slightly dropped perfoamce, iv been trying to take it easy though...
Today- all 3 times I started it a strange and rather loud knocking/clicking sound, but it went away after 2-5 second just idling...
WHATS WRONG WITH MY BABY!? :(
Is this a new engine?, or just a relatively simple fix?

[[ion] C2]

Look for leaks, foo. I leak oil from either my turbo drain fitting at the oil pan, or the oil pan gasket.

Exhaust tips being black is normal, lol.

[Greencoupe2.2]

ill make you a bet its your timing chain tensioner, its supposed to be a common problem with our ecotecs, never had to replace mine yet, but it looks like a fairly easy job to replace it. search it on youtube to see if it sounds like yours

[Papa Rad17]

Mm. Thanks.
Ion, I have checked for leaks multiple times, and what I mean by tips being black is it has a relativily thick layer of gunk on them. It takes a lot to get it off. It's just been recently that's it happened to, between my last couple of washes they were still really shinny.

[Papa Rad17]

I think it is, after watching a ton of vids for it on youtube and then listening to mine I think so, mine isnt near as loud as a lot of them online were but its defiantly ticking like they were. so do I just need to replace the tensioner or should i get a new belt and what not down there to?

[Papa Rad17]

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/2003-Oldsmobile-Alero/Engine-Balance-Shaft-Belt-Tensioner/_/N-jkfn9Z8zoey?filterByKeyWord=timing+belt&fromString=search?
or http://www.autozone.com/autozone/accessories/Performance/Timing-Belt-Tensioner/_/N-26dl?filterByKeyWord=timing+belt&fromString=search and for the second one (which im pretty sure its that one, would the oversized one be nessary or just go with the normal one?

[heineck]

probably chain tensioner not the one for the belt. its only like 25 bucks but its some work to get to it. you gotta get in here

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/ff_ace/Engine%20Build/137.jpg

[Greencoupe2.2]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0G2-Cxi4xQ hopefully this helps a little

[Papa Rad17]

For some reason if won't let me load that vid O.o is there any chance you could give me a link to the part so I know what I'm looking for a bit more? My soon to be brother-in-law owns a shop so hopefully that will make this repair a lot easier.
Heineck- I haven't received the reply to the email... Would you like me try a pm or email again?

[Greencoupe2.2]

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/Timing-Kit-component-Timing-Chain-Tensioner/2003-Oldsmobile-Alero/_/N-jkfn9Z8znsj?counter=0&filterByKeyWord=timing+chain+tensioner&fromString=search&itemIdentifier=716627_0_2358_

Im pretty sure it goes under the valve cover between one of the two timing chain pullies at the top of the motor never replaced mine so dont quote me, im sure somone else could help you out more

[Papa Rad17]

You it looks like it. I appreciate the help. I'll probably go ahead and paint the valve cover while it's too. Iv been wanting to that anyway.

[Papa Rad17]

Wait? I just need that bolt? What's the difference between the one in your link and the other one that comes up when ou search? I though a type of plate that the belt rubbed against. Something like this http://m.youtube.com/index?desktop_uri=%2F&gl=US#/watch?v=W5mZf5H8H30

[Greencoupe2.2]

Im pretty sure thats all youll need, but youll need to take off the valve cover to get to it, but again i would wait for someone to clarify more as i have never had to do this to mine yet or just google how to replace it, not an alero specific problem as long as its an ecotec its pretty much the same thing

[Papa Rad17]

Ya, a lot of the vids were cavaliers. I will do some reasurch.