Unusual Rattle When Driving

Jim1969 · #1 (**permalink**) 08-27-2010, 02:29 AM

2003 2.5SL 82k miles

Hello,
I've got a noise coming from the engine area of my car that comes and goes only when I accelerate. The sound reminds me of a rattle snake or a metal vibration. It doesn't do it when the car is in neutral and pressing the pedal or when you remove your foot off the gas when your driving. It seems more noticeable at different RPM's when driving. I also jacked both sides of the car up with the car in drive and stll didn't hear the noise. It does it with the car cold or hot.

I've searched the forum, but couldn't find anything that matched my situation. So, any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

Jim

BT · #2 (**permalink**) 08-27-2010, 02:33 AM

Sounds like something that is happening when the engine and trans are moving...Mount? Heat shield?

Tarik · #3 (**permalink**) 08-27-2010, 03:00 AM

I am leaning towards the heat sheild as well.

wild willy · #4 (**permalink**) 08-27-2010, 11:34 AM

Look at the heat shield......if it is loose...You are lucky you got so may miles before it broke. Put a hose clamp around it and tight'n it down. Did mind a couple yrs ago ...still going fine.. Just did our POS Oddy as well

Jim1969 · #5 (**permalink**) 08-27-2010, 11:52 AM

Thanks for the feedback. I hope it's caused by a heat shield since that would be a cheap fix using a hose clamp. I'll check it out this weekend and report back.

Thanks

Tigerlui · #6 (**permalink**) 08-27-2010, 09:07 PM

How to u clamp that shield down by a hose clamp?
Isnt that is a big shield?

wild willy · #7 (**permalink**) 08-28-2010, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tigerlui

How to u clamp that shield down by a hose clamp?
Isnt that is a big shield?

Not big on altima.....You know they make different size hoze clamps? On my Oddy.....I put 2 together cause it was big.....and I had them in my garage

Jim1969 · #8 (**permalink**) 08-29-2010, 12:02 AM

I looked everything over and have a couple of questions. Are the shields everyone's talking about attaced to the muffler or bolted to the frame. Would the hose clamp be used around the braded portion of the exhaust near the engine?

What I saw was a metal shield near the engine that was close to the braided portion of the muffler. The shield was securely bolted to the frame, but when I banged my hand against it the cover would vibrate against something else. Could this vibrate only when I accelerate?

Where specifically would the hose clamps be used since I couldn't find anything broken loose.

Thanks, Jim

Nadia0584 · #9 (**permalink**) 09-01-2010, 07:59 PM

dude i hope u get an aswer for this. i have an 05 3.5 and i get the same noise when i accelerate. when im coasting its good, but always when i accelerate i hear it. keep me updated so i can address this issue myself. thanks.

mustacheboy · #10 (**permalink**) 09-02-2010, 10:04 PM

If you have a short ram intake, then its rattling against the body of your engine bay, and you just need to tuck it in further. Other then that, I am not sure.

halbbd01 · #11 (**permalink**) 09-03-2010, 01:29 AM

I have the same noise, but mine is coming from a metal ring on my front exhaust tube.

agent22 · #12 (**permalink**) 09-03-2010, 02:24 AM

mine was the shielding directly connected to precats and the y pipe.
i went under the car and just looked at all my exhaust heat shields. i noticed some of the factory welds had broken connecting the sheet metal looking heat shields to the exhaust. this was causing the vibration/rattle noise.
i went to advance auto and got some of the biggest hose clamps. I clamped them around the heat shields. the noise went right away.
hope this helps..

dna404 · #13 (**permalink**) 09-03-2010, 03:38 AM

Ones around my mufflers used to rattle like crazy. Check those.