Title is the short end of it, but the long in.
Recently picked up a 96 Legacy outback Auto w/ 185k. Runs and drives fine. Shifts fine and when you would expect. It has new tires, new brakes, calipers, rotors, front bearings, head gaskets.
All in all seems pretty decently maintained mechanically.
But, there is a rattling noise(sounds similar to a heat shield or bad cat), hard to pin point but sounds like its coming from the front-center of the engine, almost below the alternator.
It goes in time with the engine, generally noticable under stress, not cruise or idle.
I am assuming it could be the timing belt tensioner or something of the sort?
Any one deal with something similar?