Odd vibrating sound

[ME30W]

In the last few days I've been hearing a strange vibrating sound coming from what sounds like the front, passenger side of the car. It does seem to be RPM dependent, but only seems to happen at low RPMs.

It sounds like a thin piece of metal is rubbing against a moving part, as the noise is fairly high pitched. The car drives, and handles exactly the same as it did before I heard the noise

The car is automatic, if that matters.

Anyone have an idea of what it could be? I'm going to get under the car tomorrow to have a look.

[jlevie]

If the sound varies with engine speed it could be from any of the belt driven parts, or in an M20 engine the timing belt tensioner. If the sound only occurs when driving, check the brake backing plates and wheel bearings.

[ME30W]

The sound is not constant, it seems to come and go. I haven't been able to pinpoint any particular situation that makes it come about. But it does vary with engine speed, as it will stop when I stop accelerating.

It's more of a rattle than a wine, I took a look under the car and didn't see anything out of place. And the sound didn't pop its head out while I was stationary.

[blocke]

IF it varies with RPM, then its likely belt driven. I had a similar issue, and it turned out to be my power steering belt was too tight, and caused this odd vibration, groaning noise at certain RPMs. Get yourself an auto stethoscope, they do wonders in this type of situation. I got mine at Harbor Freight for like 3 bucks.

[603Racing]

I had a noise very similar to what you describe. My car only did this at lower RPM's when accelerating. My issue was a small heat shield just behind the passenger front wheel well. The shield was bent and vibrating against the exhaust. My buddy also had this exact same sound and the very same heat shield was rattling because the bolt holding it on had worked loose.

It is located just behind the passenger front wheel well on the bottom of the car. Underneath what would be the kick panel areas inside the car. It's kind of hard to see from the top, but if you look from underneath it's pretty easy to see. It will be towards the outside of the car from the exhaust and really damn close to the exhaust.

[603Racing]

Now that I think about it, I also had a similar sound occur when my cheap ass headers' flange was vibrating against the engine block. Angle grinder fixed that issue. The sound from the header was a deeper sounding vibration and I could feel it through the car. The heat shield vibration I could hear and could kind of feel in the floor, if at all.

[ME30W]

Now that I think about it, I also had a similar sound occur when my cheap ass headers' flange was vibrating against the engine block. Angle grinder fixed that issue. The sound from the header was a deeper sounding vibration and I could feel it through the car. The heat shield vibration I could hear and could kind of feel in the floor, if at all.

Yea, my first thought was a heat shield, because it sounds like a thinner piece of metal vibrating back and forth. Couldn't seem to find anything that was loose, but Ill be taking a better look this week.