What are the chances that my timing chain is having problems at 57k miles?

I am hearing a metal scraping sound on idle, the noise follows with the rpm. This started happening a few months ago, the car has popped/backfired when cold and rpms dropping.

Can the power steering cause a metal scraping sound? I had added fluid after I noticed it was low but didn't flush the system, it is not overfilled or anything.

Please help with this on going issue, I want to get it fixed before anything happens.

 

Remove the serpentine belt and start the car , if you still hear the noise you will know it is not the power steering pump or any of the other accessories .

 

spun bearing????

 

I hope not, how loud of a noise do that make?

This is hard to hear unless you put your ear close to the engine or front wheels.

 

I took off the belt still getting the same noise. So it's not the power steering. Loose timing chain or spun bearing anything else it could be?

Almost positive it's the timing chain the noise is coming from there and it's almost like a rattling.

 

Take off the timimg cover and take a look...



If it is the timing chain, now would be a great time to switch to a LS2 chain or dbl roller adj, ported oil pump and aftermarket undrive pulley.

 

and a cam...

 

^^^^good idea there.

 

I think that's what I'm going to do. If I do the timing chain and oil pump but NO cam does the engine have to be dropped?