Engine rattling at low RPM

[votan]

Well, now it happened to me..... When accelerating, I accidentely slipped from 4th gear into 3rd instead of 5th gear. Music was playing loud, so I only recognized my evil doing because of the red light coming on instantly. Only took like half a second to kick the clutch pedal again.... but I somehow have the feeling it did something to the engine anyway.
At low RPM... like 900 to 2000, I can hear a louder rattle coming from the engine. It's not super loud, but sounds like something came lose or so. At higer RPM, the engine just sounds fine. I already read about similar rattles... sugesting chain/spanner issues, chims or valve-springs.. but wouldn't these also make noise at higher RPM?

Additionally, the Car now ocasionally starts with missfires.....
And when switching ignition on, before actually turning over the engine.... there is a strange noise from the back of the car. It is not the fulepump.. this makes the usual short starting noise... it sounds like a huge motorized valve opening, that has to overcome some serious resistance in order to open... so pretty noisy.... but also stopps after a few seconds. This does not always happen.. just sometimes.
Have the car just for a few weeks now, and am always surprised how much noisy "life" is in this car... and have to admit, that I love it! But I would still like to get to the ground of some of these noises....

Maybe someone has an idea about what all the noises could be?

[votan]

How would I actually adjust the chain tensioner myself? I can easily access the screw for adjusting.. but how do I know what the right tension-strength is? This would alow me to at least check for this option... without opening the front end.

[Quentin1]

Opening the front end would usually mean taking the engine out. Hope you know that...

The chain is tightened by feel, there is no momentum available. Counter clockwise IIRC.

Björn.