Rattle Noise - Please Help!

[DocG]

I'm about to run this car into the wall. I'll summarize....car's been rattling since I bought it in Sept (preowned), dealer eventually told me it was a busted cat, which I"ve been waiting for 5 months for a replacement part. Finally said screw it and put a O/R Prochamber on this past weekend. Figured if it was a bad cat, taking it all off would solve this problem. NOPE! Although its not as loud because the exhaust is so loud, I'm still pickin up the rattling noise. Here goes:

Rattling noise, metallic tinny sounding, like bb's in a coffee can. Usually starts between 2k and 4k, when throttling. Also does it in neutral while parked, same rpm range. Also, in 5th gear, when luggin on the interstate at 60mph and the tach is at 1k-1.5k...and I press the gas 1/4 or more down, it'll sound very sluggish and like its bogging down...and I'm almost thinking it makes the rattling sound, but its not as obvious, just sounds like crap (this may be normal since its bogging down or may be part of my rattle).

I've run 93 octane through it several times over the months (usually only 1 tank at a time)....and it doesn't get rid of the noise. I've ditched my cats, no luck. Any other ideas???? Do I need to run 93 octane through for a few tanks before I'd see results if it was pinging, I figured 1 tank would be enough to get rid of pinging if that's what it was. Would it ping without a load such as when its parked and revv'd?

Sorry for the long post, but please feel free to throw ideas out there for me! I'm really getting frustrated with this car, hasn't been right since I bought it. And I'm not taking it back to the dealer I've been working with because they're idiots, and they'll be pissed when they get that new midpipe in and I don't need it

 

[spederman]

Does it have a tune on it or a reflash from a hand held programmer by you or the previous owner? Have you checked the timing on it to see if its been advanced too much?

 

[DocG]

I can't guarantee no tune by previous owner, but not one by me. I'll check for a chip at least. How can I test the timing...do I need a programmer or something that can datalog? Would it help to have a dyno run done with A/F?

 

[02mingryGT]

The noise your hearing sounds like mine. It sounds like a loose cat heat shield but that's not it because I put an o/r x on and can still hear it. You figure out what that is post it up on here so I know.

 

[godspeedX]

Where exactly does the sound seem to come from? If it's coming from your engine compartment, the first thing I'd do now is check the computer out. If it seems to look untouched, then try to have it reflashed by Ford at the dealership. If the car has headers and you have an exhaust leak through one of its gaskets, it makes a sort of a rattling sound but not necessarily like bb's in a tin can though.

If the problem was one of your cats, then one of your REAR O2 sensors wouldn't be getting the right signal, and you'r check engine light would turn on. The rear O2 sensors don't adjust your air fuel ratio either, it's the Front 2 sensors that take care of that so that wouldn't cause any kind of pinging anyway. I also have a Prochamber and am running only with 2 front sensors and a tune up to eliminate the rear sensors from causing my check engine light to turn on, but before I had that tune up I would run my car with the rear O2's not funtioning properly. Don't mean to confuse you though, check it out and check out your fuel sytem to see if anything looks modified

 

[Mike97gt]

check the cover for the clutch fork and cable. this is a sheet metal style cover held on by a 3/8 bolt. if that covers loose it will cuase a rattle like that. try removing the cover and going for a ride. ( you will be fine riding like that for a few minutes)