Engine Rattle/Tapping Fix (1 Viewer)

[baggar11]

Shortly after doing a timing belt job on our new LX back in August, I noticed a rattling/tapping sound coming from the front area. Didn't seem to happen while in motion. Mostly at a stop, but putting the vehicle in neutral would quiet it.

Well, the holiday season hit as well as the rain so I hadn't had much time or motivation to figure out where the sound was coming from. Initially I thought it was the splash guard under the front since I remembered there being a missing bolt holding it in place. I found that it was actually a missing foam piece on the oil fill tube side under the plastic engine cover making all the noise.

After finding that, I searched and found others with the same issue. The most notable fix was just to remove the engine cover. The proper fix was so easy and cost effective, I figured I'd put the info out there. And well, everyone loves pics.

Home Depot had a 2ft x 2ft foam piece for about $6. Sawed off a little square to match the other existing foam pieces still attached to the cover and hot glued it to the side without. No more rattle. Not bad for 10 minutes and $6.

 

[geanes]

Ah, the dreaded engine cover rattle! Mine only did it when it was cold. I did the same thing as you. Almost as easy as the Catalytic Converter Rattle fix (band clamps are the cure).

 

[baggar11]

Almost as easy as the Catalytic Converter Rattle fix (band clamps are the cure).

Ha! Oh on, another rattle I can expect...

 

[MN CZ]

Oh my, is the solution that simple? I've searched this forum and google for almost a year.

Exact same problem. Rattle at stop, with vehicle in drive. Put in Neutral or Park, rattle stops. A little throttle, no rattle.

I can't believe the solution is so easy. Thanks Baggar11, your photo of new foam next to old foam is great.

 

[95Fantasma80]

Oh my, is the solution that simple? I've searched this forum and google for almost a year.

Exact same problem. Rattle at stop, with vehicle in drive. Put in Neutral or Park, rattle stops. A little throttle, no rattle.

I can't believe the solution is so easy. Thanks Baggar11, your photo of new foam next to old foam is great.

It can't be that easy! Mine does the same at stop light, but neutral fixes it. Let us know is that solves it for you.

 

[94SRUNNER]

Its a good solution. Any thoughts about just removing the cover completely? That's what I did...no more rattle.

 

[MN CZ]

So far, so good. 7 degrees this morning. Rattle seems to have disappeared. It seemed more noticeable on the drive home, so I will reply if there's a rattle tonight.

 

[ih8everything]

It can't be that easy! Mine does the same at stop light, but neutral fixes it. Let us know is that solves it for you.

My cover has been removed for about 3 years and mine still does this. It has to do with the RPMs dropping. When I shift back into neutral or park the rpms rise slightly and the rattle stops. I'm still trying to figure this out...

 

[geanes]

My cover has been removed for about 3 years and mine still does this. It has to do with the RPMs dropping. When I shift back into neutral or park the rpms rise slightly and the rattle stops. I'm still trying to figure this out...

Have you checked the catalytic converters? They produce a similar rattle and under similar circumstances to those you describe.

 

[ih8everything]

Have you checked the catalytic converters? They produce a similar rattle and under similar circumstances to those you describe.

Thanks, I'll try taking a look and see if that's where it's coming from.

 

[jonmangelo]

Reviving this thread to see if anyone has definitively solved this problem. I have the same issue described above... Cold weather, heater on, car in Drive while at a stoplight. Rattle goes away when in Neutral, Park, or normal driving. I am going to remove the engine cover to see if that works - if not I will try banding the heat shields as recommended above. I will follow up if this resolves the issue.