Ratteling when not moving.

My dad has a 91 ford taurus w/3.8 v6 and automatic tranny that makes a ratteling noise when you are stopped with the car in gear. It kindof sounds like tin rattleing together, it is definitly metal on metal. Do you have anythoughts on what it could be, i plan on putting the car up on jack stands this weekend to see what it is.

I'd be ready to bet that it's a heat shield.

Denis

I second the thought of the catalytic converter heat shield. Ford welded two heat shields onto the converter tabs, one shield on top and one on bottom. The shields have a tendency to break at the welds and cause rattles at certain RPMs. One common fix is to buy very large hose clamps and clamp the shields back tight. Do not remove the shields though or you may end up with melting carpet, fires if you park too close to fallen leaves, etc.

-Rod