Timing Tensioner problem?

[1995gsxtreme]

Alright, I had all my belts, harmonic balancer and Timing belt changed about 8 months ago. Just recently I started to hear a bad rattle/knocking noise. I posted this earlier. I read lots of forums and thought it might be a balance shaft problem. However, I took it to three shops, to get a quick guess on what it is, and they said it sounds like the timing belt tensioner might be loose. So I continued to look at problems for that online, and found this little info

Symptom: Strong Engine Vibration from 3000 rpms to 5500 rpms
Cause:bad timing alignment caused by unproper T-belt Tension.
cost to fix: about $120 to have timing belt reset.
Damage due to continued driving:Loss of Engine after timing slipped and dropped a valve
Cost to fix after continued driving:$3250

First, my car only has the rattle/sound at idle(sometimes) to 2200 rpms. Mainly 2200 rpms. also it isn't constant, sometimes when I start it up its fine, then it comes on shortly afterwards, sometimes its there when I start it up.

So I was wondering if this is my problem, since my car sounds completely fine after 2200 rpms?
Thanks ahead of time

P.S. The reason I am asking is because I don't really have the money to pay for them to check the tensioner and find out it isn't that, and it happens to be the balance shaft or something.

 

[yoshimitsuspeed]

The first thing to do would be to take off the timing belt top cover, the one on the drivers side of the valve cover. It should be three 10 mm bolts once you get it off wiggle the belt between the cams It will move up and down a bit. I dont know the tolerences but I am going to say 1/2 inch up and 1/2 inch down. maybe 1 inch top to bottom at the very most. If it wiggles more than that or if it looks like it could slip a tooth that may very well be your problem. Better yet would be to take it to a mechanic or local knowlegable DSMers and just have them feel it.

 

[blackGSX2g]

Yea, check the tension on the timing belt. If that is fine, check to make sure the bolts are tight on your accessory pulleys. Does the knock sound come from the timing belt area, or does it sound like its deep in the block? If the bearings for the balance shafts went out, you'd see chunks of metal in your oil pan.

If you figure out its the tensioner, I have one I could sell for cheap with about 18k on it. I have a 6-bolt, so I don't need it.