Sondinh

iTrader: (3)

When driving today, I suddenly heard a rattling noise. During a stop the engine sounds normal, but when I am about to accelerate I heard a rattling noise (sounds like some is scratching in the front). The rattling only happens when the RPM is between 1 and 2 RPM. After that the engine performs normally. Does anyone know what the problem is? Thank you.

JnC

iTrader: (12)

It could be the belt tensioner, I have the same issue as well, if I recall correct there is a thread on it somewhere as well.

Sondinh

iTrader: (3)

Will this be safe to drive without fixing in about one month?

handsom-hustla

iTrader: (3)

i have the same problem. everytime i bring it into service all they do is tell me they tightened something that was loose.. but the problem continues. its like a rattle or vibration.and its only at early rpms no mater how fast im goin..

Sondinh

iTrader: (3)

I just want to note that the noise sounds like a rattling in a can. It only happen when it is between 1 and 2 RPM? Hope that will descriptive enough.

specter116

well my friend i had the same issue and guess what it was for me.... my right side lower grill, in the front bumper...if that would help. mine got loose because every time i go in and out of a driveway i dont have enough clearance and my front would scrape

JnC

iTrader: (12)

Here is the thread with more info on the problem and the fix.

https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-problems-fixes-114/2005-tl-chirping-noise-engine-626763/

and here is a my video (which I made for the exhaust) in which you can hear the rattling sound. You'd notice the sound in the beginning of the video when I roll next to the camera and come to a stop before revving the motor.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZcc2...e=channel_page

jdubub

same damn problem here!! every time i go to pinpoint it or go to my mechanic it wont make the noise!? lol go figure but im sick of it!

davewhodavedunn

I KNOW EXACTLY WHAT IT IS...I just bought my TL and I had that exact same thing. It sounds like a little metal ball in a tin can around 1-3000 rpm...it's a loose bolt under the front passenger side right by the heat shield. My mechanic tighted it up and GONE....

NedShneebly

well, to add to the 'possible' rattle list: do you have a CAI? My CAI was vibrating against a jumper just under the pipe and I recently found it was contacting the frame just slightly after modifying the pipe for P2R throttle body spacer. I also noticed the radiator has a lot of play. I mean, they're supposed to be vibra-mounted and move a bit, but it's like 3/4" back and forth.

sober72

Sondinh.....I was having the same issue with my 2007 X. Mine started doing it right after the engine was warm and would even do it when sitting still....if I revved the motor slightly. I had my daughter work the gas pedal while I searched. I found the culprit right under the front of the vehicle. There should be a couple of holes in the plastic underbelly in front of your vehicle. It's just a hair to the passenger side from the center of the engine. The exhaust comes straight down and I found the heat shield just below was the problem. There was a rusted area at one of the attach points for the two shields and an actual crack. I used a couple of large metal hose clamps together to have enough reach to go around both sides of the heat shield. It may be impossible to get to by the average guy. Luckily my arms are long and small enough to get to the area, barely. I was able to tighten it enough to stop the noise. Noise is gone.

I know this is an old post....just hoping to help anybody else in the future who may do a search like I did to try and solve this particular problem.

WDPanda

This noise is almost always the catalytic converter heat shield. Large hose clamp can fix the noise.

mrphilipanderson

Im glad im not the ONLY guy. So annoying!

horseshoez

iTrader: (2)

I'd be checking the heat shields.

stevemk07

Agreed. On both my TLs the one under the car covering the cat was the problem.

mrphilipanderson

The one under the car covering? What would be the best way to pinpoint to the mechanic to tighten?

horseshoez

iTrader: (2)

I had a nasty vibration on a car a couple of years ago, I ended up creating a long "red-neck stethoscope" (a length of garden hose), and routing it to various areas where I suspected the noise was coming from; I even had to resort to running the hose and securing it so I could drive the car with the hose held to my ear. I finally localized the noise to the area between the rear cylinder bank and the firewall, and when I dug in there I found a single snapped off bolt head sitting in a concave depression on top of a heat shield. The thing was, it took me an hour of tearing stuff apart to get there, only to find/remove the bolt head out, throw it away, and then another hour to put everything back together.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

if you tell the mechanic "catalytic converter heat shield"
he should be smart enough to figure out where it's at. it will also be very apparent as bolts will be coming undone.

stevemk07

I could not tell anything wrong before clamping mine down... Seemed secure even when tapping it but sure enough it fixed the rattling.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

^good to know!