03 4.0 V6 rattle help

[jav1]

2003 explorer 80k miles with slight rattle at idle and acceleration while cold but also when warm on occasion. Religiously maintained. Rattle sounds like a solid metal object loose rattling around- not sheet metal rattle, preignition ping, or rod knock. I've read most posts about this and would appreciate some guidance.

I believe the 03 V6 is not prone to timing chain rattle (at idle) or torque converter rattle- which by mosts descriptions, closely matches my symptoms . The noise does not appear to be heat shield related and is very hard to pin point. It's hard to hear in the car but outside, you hear it better with the hood closed. With the hood open, you can hear it, but it's louder under the car. Normal engine noise drowns out most of the rattle from above.

Any ideas on common trouble spots or how to better isolate the rattle?

thanks in advance.

 

[DAT05EXPLODER]

listen to the cats while running the truck, that was where my rattle problem was.

 

[BigRondo]

My rattle was a heat shield underneath. It would rattle loud when cold and go away as it warmed up. It was driving me nuts.

 

[jav1]

what did you do about cats? replace, remove and clean? How did you isolate the noise?

 

[DAT05EXPLODER]

i isolated it by getting as close as i could to it and it was loudest next to the CAT. Cut the CAT out and it was all broken to pieces. Had a shop weld in a new CAT and problem is much less since the other CAT is making some noise and will be doing the same with that one eventually.

You could alway buy a mechanical stethoscope and use that for help with finding the noise a little bit better.

 

[northside]

I had same problem did everything nothing helped so I bought the expensive Goodyear Gatorback serp belt and now the noise is gone.

 

[jav1]

If it was the serp belt, did you remove it and run the engine to eliminate the noise? I'm going to try getting underneath today to see if I can pin point where the noise is loudest... not fun on 30 degree weather.

 

[northside]

I did everything, changing tensioner, bought standard serp belts, idle pulley, went to Ford and they told me it was the alternator. I know it was not the timing chain because this was my second engine and I had the noise on the original. I took the old belt off and the noise stopped so I knew it was a external part making the noise. I remembered from another post stating that the Goodyear Gatorback serp belt helped them and I guess because of the special ribbed side it absorbs any rattle. I went to Salvo auto parts and bought the GY belt and it worked. Try it and let me know. Cost me almost 40.00.

 

[jav1]

well-I started the truck this morning and had the rattle. The rattle just stopped and I reved the engine and it came back. Took the serp belt off and no rattle. Reved it up- no rattle. Went out and bought new serp belt and new tensioner assembly- couldn't find gates but got the bets one they had (Dayton). Put everything back on... rattle is back. Took the new serp belt off.... still rattles!!!!!

The rattle seems to be coming from inside the engine, near the front. Seems louder on the passenger side (below) but is still very audible on the drivers side from below. After the engine is warm.... you hardly ever hear a rattle. I fear it's the timing chain but though the 03 didn't have this issue and why would it go away warm??/

 

[shawn022]

The 03 had the timiming issue. You should see the motor I pulled out of my 03 xlt. Every chain guide was broke as well as most tensioners. I replaced it instead of fixing it. When you start to add up the parts it made more sense to replace it.

 

[75ohm]

Fighting a rattle myself; however, a couple of things that I found:

1. Timing guides were toast, how I didn't lose the engine is beyond me... pulled it and replaced it with updated guides/chains/etc.

2. Power steering pump was clacking as it spun up, replaced, that noise gone.

3. Control box for EGR, the one that has two vac hoses -- one to exhaust... back plate was loose and rattling like crazy. Taped to test then replaced.

4. Last remaining noise: either my tensioner bearings are going (replaced 25K miles ago) or my alternator bearings are going. Stethoscope listen and it definitely sounds like the tensioner.

My rattle only happens when the belt is on and when revving the engine... tick tick tick tick with the speed of rev... OCD kicks in and this is driving me insane. That being said, it is getting replaced today/tomorrow.

Good luck!

 

[jav1]

Traded the truck in.... went toyota instead. No more rattle.

 

[DAT05EXPLODER]

how much did they give you with the rattle for trade?