My son's 98 Contour V6 suddenly started having a big rattle that seems to come from the passenger side of the engine. The engine runs fine. Anybody have any idea what it might be?

 

This is the NON-automotive forum! Don't make me have to tell a moderator.

 

Like an exhaust rattle? Maybe the heat shield on the cat?

 

OOOOps -too many windows open. -Will move!

It sounds as if it is internal to the engine? I thought maybe a timing chain or guide. I figured someone here might have some experience with that engine.

 

Ahh crud! I was so busy being a smart-alik I forgot to ask about the rattle, luckily you answered. I would take a length of vacuum hose, stick one end in your ear and use the other to try and pinpoint exactly where the noise is coming from. Sounds in the engine compartment with the engine running often get bounced around making them sound like they're coming from somewhere they're not. It makes it easier to narrow down the posibilities. I once spent a month trying to figure out a rattle in the rear of an engine only to find out it was a loose bolt in the front that holds the oil dipstick tube to the engine.

 

Eric I've replaced timing chains, guides and tensioners on a couple of these for a rattle.
Have fun

 

How bad is the job? I replaced them a few years ago on an 87 Topaz without removing the engine which would have been a real pain. I just shuffled the engine sideways a bit and tilted it. This rattle sounds eerily similar. It looks like there is more space on that side of the engine on the Contour but it looks like the valve covers and more junk has to come off also.

The rattle on the Topaz progressed from an occasional click to a continuous rattle over a long period. The Contour rattle started suddenly, one day no rattle, the next day a big one.

The Contour also has a big warm weather oil leak on the opposite end of the engine to fix also. It seeps a little in the wintertime. In the summer it can use a quart of oil weekly.

-I hate Contours...

 

It's not a fun job at all
The engine doesn't have to come out but you have to remove the intake manifold to get the valve covers off, the alternator, the P/S pump etc.
The good thing is that you won't be bored for a while once you start

 

I am good at the intake R&R. I can do that and replace the fuel pressure regulator in 30 minutes flat with homeowner tools which is a far cry from the 3 hours the local Ford dealer said was flat rate...

Will the rattle get worse or will the engine self destruct soon if we just let it rattle for a while? My son just got a new job and may be able to afford another vehicle in a few months if this one will last a little longer.

 

I'm not sure I'd want to leave it too long in case there are pieces broken and floating around inside.

 

It is probably nibbling at the guide already and throwing pieces. It seems to be a common problem with ALL the new engines using plastic parts inside engines. By new I mean anything since about ~80. It is a shame, but I can understand why from an engineering viewpoint but at the same time I can see reasons for not using them also. It is one of those tradeoffs that often does not come out to well. This particular engine does not even have 50K miles on it.

 

I think the older Japanese engines used plastic guides back in the 70's and maybe earlier. We're seeing more plastic on the engines all the time.

 

I replaced a couple of plastic clips on that engine a couple years back. I was able to buy them from Ford for $$$ but in a few more years they will not be available and they ALL break. I have said it b4; "little unobtainable plastic parts will be the death of most new vehicles".