another strange noise

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Feb 2, 2003 | 11:44 PM

treehugger36

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Senior User

Joined: Jan 2003

Posts: 392

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From: The South

another strange noise

I just got back from a date and was dropping my girl off. As she was getting out I started up the bronco again and there was this rattling noise. I shut the bronco down and tried it again... same noise. It is close to 1 AM right now and I couldnt really get under her to check her out... the bronco that is! and the exhaust sys was warm so I couldnt check that for the rattle. It seemed to be coming from front passenger side. This is about the 20th thing to go wrong in my baby since I bought her less than a year ago...

Any ideas? I am gonna try to check her out tomorrow... but wanted to know what if there is something I should be lookin for specifically...

thanks in advance guys, youre a life saver!

Feb 2, 2003 | 11:48 PM

greystreak92

Lead Driver

Joined: Sep 2002

Posts: 9,182

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From: Gateway to the West

another strange noise

When she cools off, uh....the truck that is...check the Catalytic converter. They are notorious for having the outer heat shield come loose. Most are just tack welded to the outside of the cat. I have fixed several with a wrap or two of bailing wire. Its just a heat shield after all.

Feb 3, 2003 | 01:49 AM

treehugger36

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: Jan 2003

Posts: 392

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From: The South

another strange noise

this may sound dumb... but where do I find it and what does it look like?

I love the bailing wire idea! if I thought duct tape could take the heat (no pun intended) I would use that, but wire would prolly work better wouldnt it.

thanks for the advice. I will check it out.

Any second opinions would be helpful as well...

Feb 3, 2003 | 11:18 AM

mrwizard

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Joined: Jul 2002

Posts: 2,205

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From: Vancouver WA

another strange noise

I agree with the rattle probably coming from the cat. My '85 would rattle like crazy at idle, but would quiet down as soon as it got above idle speed. Depending on many factors, you may have either one or two cat's. If you look under the vehicle, start following the exhaust from the engine back. For lack of a better term, the cat's look about the same as a small muffler. They will be the first things in the exhaust pipe after both sides come together at the "Y". It (or they if your setup has two) will be just about under the passenger's feet. It is easy to see the heat shield setup between the cat and the floor.