I have a 91 hatchback, 1.5L, 140,000 miles. I just started hearing a knocking type sound coming from my engine. It seems to dissapate upon exceleration, it is worse at idle. It seems to be from the driver's side of the car. Has anyone heard that type of noise from a bad waterpump or timing belt tensioner? Tonight I'm going to remove the top belt cover and see if it is obvious that it is either one.
I hate to replace those if it is a rod in the engine as I do have a spare engine to put in.

I believe I'm going to have to remove the dreaded crankshaft pulley bolt to replace either one?