I noticed a little bit of a rattle a month or so ago, but it went away and never returned until yesterday. Oh my god.....While pulling out of a parking space (Reverse) and then going forward, I could hear a loud clanging sound between me and the engine (more on the passenger's side). Whether the clutch was in or out, the noise continued until reaching third gear, but louder with clutch out. This happened whenever I started the engine after it was cool. While slow in first and second, the loud clanging sound was noticeable to pedestrians as they looked in horror. 
Also, power is down a lot, but sometimes it was OK. Once on the Interstate (later that day), I downshifted from 5th to 4th to pass someone and while pushing on the gas, almost nothing happened. I couldn't repeat this afterwards, but I could tell that my car didn't sound as stong at higher rpm's, nor did it have the normal sound going through 1st and 2nd from a stop at a pretty good pace.
Add to the fact that while all this weirdness is going on, I did average about 20mpg for my trip (190 miles round trip). All the stock guages look normal, but I know that doesn't mean a whole lot. Smooth sailing at 70-75mph on the Interstate in 5th while taking it very easy, but it sure felt weak working my way up to that speed on the entrance ramps. I did notice that as I accelerated, both the rpm's and mph increased together, so that should possibly eliminate the possibility of a tranny going bad. Spark plug wires are snug, too, and the car starts up immediately without a hint of hesitation.
While reving the engine a little bit this afternoon when the car was cold, the clanging didn't happen, but then I didn't move the car, just turned it over for a few minutes. I do hear a bit of a whine under the hood. I can hear that the sound is different and weaker than normal. Reving quickly does not produce the same exhaust note anymore, it's lacking in tone and depth. I do hear a hissing and/or slightly metallic sound on the passenger side under the car (possibly near the cats).
Maybe something is loose, but just in case, I'm going to have Ford run a diagnostic on it (only a few blocks from house). I am hoping that something obvious will arise, but maybe they'll see something I don't. Normally, I'd put it up on ramps and do a thorough exam, but recently I injured my left hand which needed stitches. Since my injury hasn't healed and it is supposed to stay clean, I kind of have to rely on Ford finding something. If the diagnostic reveals something, I can then plan on how to get it fixed. Don't think for a second that Ford will actually be fixing my car, but I'm willing to pay for a diagnostic since it's close by. I know a good mechanic shop that works on lots of stangs, so I may try them once I have an idea of what's wrong (they are a few miles away in the opposite direction of work).
Any ideas? I can provide more info (even though this is terribly long already), but this is all I can remember off hand.
Also, power is down a lot, but sometimes it was OK. Once on the Interstate (later that day), I downshifted from 5th to 4th to pass someone and while pushing on the gas, almost nothing happened. I couldn't repeat this afterwards, but I could tell that my car didn't sound as stong at higher rpm's, nor did it have the normal sound going through 1st and 2nd from a stop at a pretty good pace.
Add to the fact that while all this weirdness is going on, I did average about 20mpg for my trip (190 miles round trip). All the stock guages look normal, but I know that doesn't mean a whole lot. Smooth sailing at 70-75mph on the Interstate in 5th while taking it very easy, but it sure felt weak working my way up to that speed on the entrance ramps. I did notice that as I accelerated, both the rpm's and mph increased together, so that should possibly eliminate the possibility of a tranny going bad. Spark plug wires are snug, too, and the car starts up immediately without a hint of hesitation.
While reving the engine a little bit this afternoon when the car was cold, the clanging didn't happen, but then I didn't move the car, just turned it over for a few minutes. I do hear a bit of a whine under the hood. I can hear that the sound is different and weaker than normal. Reving quickly does not produce the same exhaust note anymore, it's lacking in tone and depth. I do hear a hissing and/or slightly metallic sound on the passenger side under the car (possibly near the cats).
Maybe something is loose, but just in case, I'm going to have Ford run a diagnostic on it (only a few blocks from house). I am hoping that something obvious will arise, but maybe they'll see something I don't. Normally, I'd put it up on ramps and do a thorough exam, but recently I injured my left hand which needed stitches. Since my injury hasn't healed and it is supposed to stay clean, I kind of have to rely on Ford finding something. If the diagnostic reveals something, I can then plan on how to get it fixed. Don't think for a second that Ford will actually be fixing my car, but I'm willing to pay for a diagnostic since it's close by. I know a good mechanic shop that works on lots of stangs, so I may try them once I have an idea of what's wrong (they are a few miles away in the opposite direction of work).
Any ideas? I can provide more info (even though this is terribly long already), but this is all I can remember off hand.
