metallic rattle???

what's up AF people? i have a 97 pathfinder and i just got back from Virginia the other day. I start my car up fine, but when i accelerate i hear a metal clank actually like a rattle and then once the engine has run for a while it goes away. it only does it in between 1 and 2.5 thousand rpm. it wont do the noise in idle so i rulled out cylinder wear or waterpump. its not the heat sheild but could be the skid plates(dont know how to check them) so tonight i waited till i was on E, and filled up with high octane and some fuel injector cleaner......but it still makes the noise. I've been reading all the forums and cant find and answer, does anyone know?

same prob here bud on a 96 PF. If u find an answer let me know [email protected]

no prob. Its been two days since i put the stp and the 93 in the tank and it is starting to go away. we'll see what happens by tomorrow.

wtf, still rattles. so any ideas? any old threads with info??? please help a brotha out!!!

Its gotta be somthin in the exhaust....i got under there and banged on the converter and hear the rattle but cant pin point it!!! AHHHH!

I had my whole exhaust system replaced for about 170 bucks the heat sheild...(the outer skin of the muffler) was all rusted and peeling off so i got a new one. Then i drove for a while, the rattle has gotten a little quieter, but still there. I know it has to do with the exhaust also, but it's no the heat sheild. Im thinking maybe its just due to age, cause its a 97 and has 90k on it.

Another Q.....on my 96 PF i cannot get my rear washer fluid to spray, is there a tank? I am lost please help!!

That rattle you are hearing may be a loose oxygen sensor (or sensors -there are two) located near the back of the front wheel well in one of the two exhaust pipes. They have a set of wires coming out and look like a spark plug; they are easily accessible by crawling underneath the car and using an adjustable wrench to tighten. My rattle happened at 1800 RPM when driving. When parked, the rattle occured at 3000 RPM. I also thought it was heat shields as well and I clamped the really rusty ones down but no luck.

Maddening to find but easy to fix.