Diesel like sound

[InfernoSR]

When my car is in gear and idling (say at a fast food drive thru)... it sounds like a dirty old diesel... but more metalic :

I think it could be part of the exhaust, but not sure if its something under the bonnet (yes i know part of the exhaust is under the bonnet also, so no sarcasm is required there : )

Any suggestions?

[BIGJB]

Shove ya head under the car belt the cat with ya fist and see if it rattles. Would be the first thing i'd look at.

[InfernoSR]

Originally Posted by 99GHIA

Shove ya head under the car belt the cat with ya fist and see if it rattles. Would be the first thing i'd look at.

I dont have a cat... she lives with my parents :(

[Mechan1k]

Could be a stuck lifter ... is the idle a little rougher than normal????

[Bushbasher]

Originally Posted by BLUEPRINT

I dont have a cat... she lives with my parents :(

[InfernoSR]

Originally Posted by Mechan1k

Could be a stuck lifter ... is the idle a little rougher than normal????

The idle is fine actually... tis a weird one... but it sounds like a heavy vibration...

Originally Posted by Bushbasher

:monkes: I couldnt help that one

[Bushbasher]

If it's only happening at idle it suggests something loose that only rattles with engine vibration at idle so check the cat converter as suggested and maybe the exhaust clamps, you may have one that has come loose . The only other thing I can think of if it's not something internal in the engine is maybe the bearing in the serpentine belt tensioner if it's under the bonnet but you should be able to pick that from the location of the noise.Underneath would suggest exhaust, under bonnet would suggest pulley or maybe also exhaust heat shield coming loose now that I think of it. Along the same lines of metal coming loose and rattling on metal, check all the metal fluid lines where they clamp to the body or chassis, you may have a broken clamp causing a pipe to contact the chassis or body. Everything else under the bonnet that might come loose and potentially rattle is plastic I reckon so would make a different kind of noise. Hope that helps; if not, at least it'll keep you occupied for a little while eliminating suspects, :

Bushbasher

[InfernoSR]

Originally Posted by Bushbasher

if not, at least it'll keep you occupied for a little while eliminating suspects, :

Jeez... thanks... :