1998 XLT strange noise ?

[badgett]

My 98 XLT has started making a strange rattling sound in the front. Sounds exactly like a heat shield rattling. It's not the timing chain. It is rattling also but the new sound seems like it is coming from the very front of the truck. What could be making this noise. Doesn't matter if it is idling or running down the road. It will make the noise a few seconds then stop. Then start rattling again for a few more seconds. Please help ! This noise is very load and annoying.

 

[elibutton]

re: rattling noise

My gf owns a 1998 Explorer Sport, and it makes an annoying rattling sound too that sounds like it's coming from below the car - but the front half of the car only. It first starts when you start it up, it rattles (kind of a med to high pitch) and you think it could be a catalytic converter or something.

I took it into my mechanic, the toyed with it and said they couldn't really find out why but they think it has to do w/ the "tensioners" in the engine, which he said needed to be replaced but we had to take it to Ford since they know how to do it and they also have to take the engine out...? I never heard of that, and taking the engine out seems like an awfully time consuming and high cost job. Not worth some rattling.

So if you find out, please let me know, and I'll do the same.

 

[shaker1]

There is an issue with the SOHC timing (cam) chain tensioners. The engine doesn't have to come out unless you replace the rear guide/cassette. I had mine done a couple years ago. It was around $300. Mine did it mostly on start up for just a few minutes.

Since the cats are up close to the front, they could conceivably be rattling internally as well. Gonna be hard to get a diagnosis without someone actually hearing the noise and where it is coming from.

 

[badgett]

I know it's not the tensioner. It has been rattling for a year. This is a louder and much deeper sound. My tensioner was rattling at startup , but now it rattles all the time. So you guys have that to look forward to. Never thought about the cats. That's a possibility. No check engine light on though. I have noticed some reduced power. Couldn't I get under it and hear if it was the cats ??

 

[fdcobra93]

No you don't need to pull the engine. What you are hearing is a balance shaft
chain guide rattle. If you listen with a mechanics stethoscope, with the engine running, On the passenger side front of the engine by the upper part of the oil pan should be loud and clear.

 

[joey_hv]

how do you fix it?

i have the same rattle on my 98. i have gotten under it and removed every piece of tin i could find attached to the exhaust pipe but rattling continues. when i push down a little on the tail pipe with my foot the rattlig almsot stops. exhaust peipe seems to be vibrating an awful lot.

 

[badgett]

I found the rattle. A very small heat shield on the exhaust pipe on the passenger side under the back door. There are two pipes running down that side and the small shield was in between them. I just yanked it off and the rattle stopped.

 

[Andrew Olander]

No you don't need to pull the engine. What you are hearing is a balance shaft
chain guide rattle. If you listen with a mechanics stethoscope, with the engine running, On the passenger side front of the engine by the upper part of the oil pan should be loud and clear.

How do you fix that? What parts do I need?