Engine rattle.

[cutecabriochick]

I recently bought a 1998 Cabrio GLS, standard transmission, 38000 miles. I've noticed a rattle coming from the engine. It sounds like a metal plate is loose or vibrating. It's most noticeable when accelerating and switching gears, but I have heard it when coasting as well. Is this a normal sound for cabrios? If not, what is causing the noise and what do I need to do to fix it? Please advise!

[bigpapapump]

Cutecabriochick???? Are you serious? Post a picture so we can judge!

[HeirMuench]

Does it sound like a tin sound? If so, there was a technical bulliten on the heat shield where the exhaust "V's" up to the head. Drill a hole between the down pipes into the heat shield and tighten a bolt through the hole as tight as possible. This will tighten the heat shield around the pipes.

[mex]

take of the heat shield

[termitesgraffix]

oorrrr it could be a bad clutch plate and you are getting clutch chatter. get up to highway speed and floor it, does the car accelerate or do the rpms go up and car go same speed? sounds like posible clutch problem. does it chatter at idle or just when accelerating. if at idle, then it could be what they said, if just when moving i would say clutch

[bdtclark]

Hey,
I've had the same problem. If you look at the heat shield mounted on the exhaust manifold (towards the firewall, on the back of the engine). There will probably be a crack in that heatshield. It's that crack that is rattling. You could remove the heatshield then have it welded and reinstall. Hope this helps.

[termitesgraffix]

Originally Posted by bdtclark

Hey,
I've had the same problem. If you look at the heat shield mounted on the exhaust manifold (towards the firewall, on the back of the engine). There will probably be a crack in that heatshield. It's that crack that is rattling. You could remove the heatshield then have it welded and reinstall. Hope this helps.

Holy post resurrection!