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  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-

Rattling at idle

  • Thread starter Thread starter 5point0dude
  • Start date Start date Sep 24, 2008
5

5point0dude

Member
Sep 5, 2007
51
1
9
Sep 24, 2008
#1
  • Sep 24, 2008
  • #1
Hey guys, I have a question that I cannot find the answer to. I have a '91 5.0 LX and when I start the car it starts up fine, but a second or two after startup I'll hear this loud rolling/rattling/clanking sound for a second then it goes away and the car is fine. As I'm driving, I hear nothing out of the ordinary, but when I'm at a stoplight idling for a little bit, I start to hear the same noise from startup, only now it keeps going and going the whole time I'm idling, and the second I touch the gas to go, the noise stops. I'm not sure but it sounds like it's coming from under the car, like the transmission or driveshaft, and I do have a 5-speed. To me, that's where it sounds like it's coming from, sometimes I can feel the vibration from the rolling/rattling/clanking under the floorboard. Also, whatever it is, it sounds like it's spinning or rolling, and it sounds kind of heavy too. Any info would help because I have no clue where to start diagnosing. Thanks.
 

fivespeedsteed

20+ Year Stangneter
Oct 17, 2003
748
22
69
Richmond, VA
Sep 24, 2008
#2
  • Sep 24, 2008
  • #2
heatshield rattling? usually it does it all the time at idle. this is for the catalytic converter btw.
 

MahFiVeOh

Founding Member
Apr 26, 2002
531
9
49
Ontario, Canada
Sep 24, 2008
#3
  • Sep 24, 2008
  • #3
I had something very similar happen last year.One of my cats went bad and started to rattle.It almost sounded like an engine knock.Jack up your car and see if it rattles when you tap it with your hand or rubber mallet.
 
5

5point0dude

Member
Sep 5, 2007
51
1
9
Sep 24, 2008
#4
  • Sep 24, 2008
  • #4
Thanks guys, I completely forgot about the cats, I remember reading about someone else having this problem, I'm pretty sure that's the problem now. If it's the heat shield or cat itself, what's your suggestion on fixing it? Thanks.
 

MAC'n89Blckstng

Active Member
Jun 11, 2003
1,012
3
36
NJ
Sep 24, 2008
#5
  • Sep 24, 2008
  • #5
Get an off road x pipe and your car will be louder and a lil faster.
 

85_SS_302_Coupe

it sucks (I know) to be on the receiving end
15 Year Member
Nov 11, 2003
6,945
1,598
223
Northern KY
Sep 24, 2008
#6
  • Sep 24, 2008
  • #6
5point0dude said:
Thanks guys, I completely forgot about the cats, I remember reading about someone else having this problem, I'm pretty sure that's the problem now. If it's the heat shield or cat itself, what's your suggestion on fixing it? Thanks.
Click to expand...


Either tack weld the shield so it doesn't vibrate, or take it off completely.
 
5

5point0dude

Member
Sep 5, 2007
51
1
9
Sep 24, 2008
#7
  • Sep 24, 2008
  • #7
Thanks everyone. I was planning to get a catalytic x-pipe in the future to gain the extra ponies, sound better, and pass smog at the same time, but now I have a good excuse to go get one now.
 

Cobra912

Active Member
May 1, 2005
1,777
11
39
Wish I was anywhere but here
Sep 25, 2008
#8
  • Sep 25, 2008
  • #8
had the same problem on my old notch. cat heat sheild rattled like crazy
 
S

Stableboy

Founding Member
Nov 29, 2001
91
0
6
Perryville MD
Sep 26, 2008
#9
  • Sep 26, 2008
  • #9
I have the same problem. I know the shield is there for a reason, but anyone heard of issues if you remove it?
 
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