RATTLE - Short duration only during accleration

[td873]

I have a very short duration rattle during accleration - as if there is a harmonic rattle due to the engine vibration. It is very similar to the sound that you might get if you had change in your console and then accelerated - it doesn't rattle/vibrate all the time, but you can hear it EVERY TIME at approximately 2000-3000 rpm in first gear, and it reoccurs in second - fifth. Each rattle/vibration lasts only about 1 second, then stops. You can repeat the rattle at standstill just by revving, but it's not always in the same range. [it does not appear to be an engine problem and it's definitely not a persistnet muffler rattle - this is more like loose metal somewhere]

In fact, it seemed obvious to me that it was the license plate cover, so I took it off - but that didn't fix it. It really sounds like something is just a bit loose but I can't pinpoint it.

Are there any likely candicates for parts to need tightening? It's more annoying than having a splinter in your eye ;)

-td

[Loren]

Did you check the heat shields around the mufflers? That is fairly common.

[td873]

Did you check the heat shields around the mufflers? That is fairly common.

Loren,

Thanks for the quick reply. Not to sound more like a novice - but what does "checking the heatshields" entail? Do I need to jack the car up first? Will a loose heatshield be apparent, or will I have to poke something to verify? And if something is loose - how do I tighten them?

Thanks again for your insight on P-cars!

-td

[Loren]

Here is a pic from one of our Moderators. The heat shield is the foil looking stuff around the muffler.

You do not need to remove the bumper or jack the car up. Just wait until it is cool or use protective gloves to isolate the rattle.

In a few cases there have been broken welds inside the muffler too.

(pic courtesy of Orient express)

[Izzy]

td,

To get to the shields, remove the bumper cover first.

The shields will the shiny metal parts under the cover. You will needs a 10mm socket and at least an extension or a series of extensions for the ratchet that can reach 16". There is a nut in the wheel well that is hard to reach without the extensions. The reast will be right in front of you, and all you got to do is check for loose ones.

No need to jack up the car, I do drive up some wood ramps to get me more clearance to work with , but not necessary.

Izzy