The bushing on the variator can wear causing movement on the variaor boss. If you take hold of the variator body (not the fan drive plate) it should slide smoothly along the boss, the wear shows itself as excess movement where the bush has worn , this usually causes a rattle at tickover. Wear like this prevents belt moving smoothly and can keep it from fully opening.
i think there is a rattle on tickover, hard to remember aint rode it in a couple weeks, could this be the problem?