Odd rattling noise coming from engine bay

Pamex · Postby **Pamex** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 9:37 pm

Howdy folks!

Whilst assessing my ailing muffler before, I noticed there was an odd rattling coming from the engine bay.

It's when you rev above 3k and is coming from the front right of the engine bay if you're standing in front looking at it.

It sounds as though a spanner has been dropped down there, but I'm rather particular with my tools when working in there, so I doubt it's something like this. Mostlikely something has worked loose.

It was pitch black before when I was assessing so couldn't see anything. I was planning to do the tightening rounds tomorrow (suspension that is) so will have another look in the light.

However... has anyone had this problem and can say 'Ah! It's such and such you need to look at!'?

I also have a bit of welding to do tomorrow that a mate has promised to help with. I knew my muffler was in need of some first aid ever since I got back from QLD. Cheynex5 mentioned it was pretty much floating on our recent cruise up Dandy which confirmed it. I got down and had a look. One of the little hanging arms has completely cracked free so there's a nice hole in it... and nothing really suspending it to the car. I've hooked it up with some coat hanger (ghetto style) in case I need to go anywhere urgently, however tomorrow will be an intersting day.

Hoping someone has had the weird rattle before. As I said, I'm rather particular with my tools so know nothing has been dropped down there (plus no-one else gets to work on her, so it's not another person's tools). I'm assuming something has come loose.

Pamex · Postby **Pamex** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 10:18 pm

Oh, and a pick of my muffler. Garret would recognise this one. :-D

MUFFLER.jpg

Juffa · Postby **Juffa** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 10:23 pm

Well the standard answer is that one of the exhaust heat shields is loose. This is a known issue on early NAs. Check the section between the header and the cat. You might find that one of the spot welds on the heat shield has broken, allowing the shield to vibrate against the exhaust. You can bend back the shield so it can't hit the exhaust, or use a hose clamp to hold it in place, or you could put a after market exhuast on.

My 2.2c (GST inclusive) worth.

J