Rattle at 3000rpm...

Ok so I have a 93 ranger splash with the 2.3L I4 engine and I am about done fixing this truck but I have this semi loud rattle at 3000rpm and I can't figure out where it is coming from, I went to the dealership to get a remote for my other ford and I figured i'd swing by the service department and the guy not only said that that sound was my exhaust but my truck is running like "dog shit" and I want that rattle to go away. Also I believe what he said about my engine because my tbird with a 4.6L v8 gets the same gas mileage. so please help me finally finish this truck. also i did check the heat shield on the header and its solid on there.. so confused?

Check every heat sheid on the exhaust system. I've taken about half of them off my 94 ranger because they all were about ready to fall of. They are just spot welded on and the welds come loose. be sure to check when engine is cold

yep he's right! it's probably the heat shields. Most likely on the cat, or the cat or muffler rattling inside or out. I'd put it on jack stands, have a friend rev the engine, and get down there and put a screwdirver or sonmething similar to my ear (don"t use the pointed end to your ear either) and check where it is comming from. Just listen and get the general vicinity and then fine check it with the screwdriver by touching the cat or where ever you think it is comming from. put the plastic end to your ear and touch the item you want with the other end and plug the other ear. I have been wrenching for years and that is what I do. Good luck :grinyes: :grinyes: :grinyes:

if the cats innards were loose would they flutter?

Well here is what I know so far, as it goes for the running condition it was missing so I am putting new plugs and wires on it. also i took an automotive stethescope to the shields and the cat and tha rattle is neither, someone said it now sounds like my water pump cause it's like wineing....so yeah:rofl:

update: so yeah it's not my water pump, i checked all the accessories too, none of them had a bad bearing I am so confused please help.....

it hard to say most of us will have to be next to engine to find it.

From a cold start remove the serpentine belt and start the truck. If the noise is still present then its obviously not the alternator, water pump, power steering pump, etc. To check the cats just get under the truck and hit em if possible you can even kick them a little they should not make any noise. Sometimes engine pinging can be confused for a rattle noise. Try running an injector cleaner through the tank. You can also try running higher octane fuel if this fixes the problem the you might have excessive carbon build up in your combustion chamber.

it hard to say most of us will have to be next to engine to find it.
the power steering pumps on those whine a lot, but without being there it is hard to say. sorry.

I found the rattle!! it was located on a little c bracket under the oil filter that connects the back of the engine to the engine mount. just a bit of snugging and bam sound is gone. man what a relief.:grinyes: