1995 Odyssey Rattle - HELP!

[juandelnorte]

I have a '95 Odyssey that rattles at low RPM. Sometimes in gear, sometimes in Park. It sounds so simple, but I can't for the life of me isolate the rattle. Sometimes it sounds like it's inside the engine, but it's a clanky rattle that makes me think it might be in the exhaust plumbing. I just adjusted the valve train, and everything in there's just fine that I could see.

Several months ago I changed the timing belt. Is there something that came loose in there that would only rattle at low RPM?

When I push on the catalytic converter the rattle seems to diminish, but I still can't isolate the problem. I checked the rear motor mount -- functions properly. I have poked and prodded just about everything looking for that loose something, but I'm still coming up short. If anyone has any insight for me, I'd appreciate the help.

[Konrad Hittner]

Could it be that your catalytic converter's guts are loose? The catalytic matrix in the converter can break down over time/miles and the bits of it rattle around in the converter housing. A stethescope or a quick trip to you local Midas shop (or its equivalent) could help you determine the source of the rattle.

[juandelnorte]

Thanks for the insights. I think I'm going to have to go through the whole exhaust system from front to back looking for the culprit. I was especially hoping that it wasn't something inside the engine.

[hal2001]

Mine is not only a rattling noise, but also a vibration. It is worst when I am idling in gear, and the enging speed is around 500 RPM. It disappears if I step on the gas slightly, and get the engine speed above 700 or 800 RPM. I was wondering if one of the balance shafts was off by one tooth, but I was told if that were the case, it would shake so bad it would be unbearable. Like I said, it does go away when the engine speeds up a bit. The noise seems to come from the exhaust system, like the others have already said. I checked all the motor mounts and the exhaust mounts, and they all seem to be OK.

[lorunner]

usuall the head shield on the top of the muffler break off to. Also check the shields on the pipe by the cat.