2k RPM rattle

[Gooch]

Hey guys, I've got a rattle coming from what seems like the trans tunnel/passenger floorboard at 2k RPM. It happens in neutral, in gear, under load, basically always at 2k RPM. Before 2k, it's smooth, after 2k, it's smooth.

Everything under the car seems tight and nothing looks out of place. I gave the exhaust a good shake, no broken hangers or anything. The only thing I saw when I was underneath was the exhaust heat shield had a broken stud which would allow it to move slightly...but I don't think such a thin little piece of metal would make such a noticeable rattle.

Anybody have any ideas? I was thinking CSB...I bought a new CSB and guibo I'm going to be installing over break. I figure it can't hurt on a 18 year old car, but I'd like to know if anyone had any ideas or similar experiences.

Thanks in advance.

[Adrian_Visser]

Well if it does it in neutral too than you can rule out anything past the transmission. Think about it the csb and guibo aren't spinning if the car is stopped in neutral.

Could you be a little more specific about the kind of rattle/ vibration you are having? You stated that it is engine speed dependent that is a start. I wouldn't be so quick to rule out the heatshield why don't you fix that first and see what happens? The exhaust is still a good bet I on the cause I think, how old is your cat. if it has broken down internally it can make a rattling noise as the pieces are blown around inside it.

[abepark]

I have a similar sound. I want to say my starter is making the noise, it seems more prominent when I'm driving vs being a passenger.

[daniel]

The exhaust is still a good bet I on the cause I think, how old is your cat. if it has broken down internally it can make a rattling noise as the pieces are blown around inside it.

heatshields and cats are good at making noises at specific RPMs which produce a certain frequency of vibration.

[e30trooper]

my car makes the same sound around 2200 rpms befor or after sounds good. I found out my heat sheild is also broke an is making noise. But I think the trans has somthing to do with it at 2k

[e30trooper]

heres a vid I took lastnight. Cant really hear it and the loud thing you will hear is my hood falling lol ,


pic of the head sheild

[Gooch]

Thanks for the pictures and video. It's not quite a ticking noise like that, but more of a rap-tap-tap-tap as I pass through 2k, if I stay at 2k it'll be a constant rapping type rattle.

Also, the heat shield I'm talking about is the very thin one bolted to the underside of the body to protect it. I can't seem to find a good picture online, and I forgot to take a picture when I was under the car.

I'm going to see if I can snag a little video later from inside the car, hopefully my phone can pick up the noise.

[kamotors]

my car had a consistent buzzing sound at 2k rpms and it turned out that I just needed to tighten the first exhaust hanger by the transmission.

[e30trooper]

ill make a vid today. the car makes a sound when i start it and cold idle

[Gooch]

Here is an extremely shitty video, it doesn't sound like the way it sounds in real life, but I figured it was worth a shot.

[e30trooper]

cant really hear it
, i tried to make a vid of mine but the camra needed a re charge. It sounds funky when it cold starts. then ill do a drive 2k