So today I started hearing an odd noise in my baby. It sounds like a rattling underneath the car only when I let off the gas. It happened a few times this afternoon and again tonight, but then went away. I couldn't find anything loose under the car, and my mechanic buddy heard it and thinks it could possibly be a tranny problem. Anyone had this issue? Also the tranny should still be under warranty right? It's a 2k2 with 44k miles. Thanks guys!

 

This sounds like the infamous "heat shield" rattle....I have it also as of recently, and haven't been able to get rid of it!

I doubt seriously it's a tranny issue, it has to do with one of the exhaust heat shields rattling somehow only when letting off the gas...

 

I had it too, but mine was also the substrate in the front precat getting tossed around.

 

how did you fix the issue, might I ask?

 

i wanna know how to fix this problem as well......but only mine rattles when i barely hit the gas an some when i let off, this started only after my injen CAI install.
i checked for looses nuts or anyting loose but could not find anything

 

On the 02-03s and possibly 01s the close coupled cats that are on the exhaust manifolds tend to fall apart and they will rattle. When this happens alof of the particles get sucked back into the engine durring deceleration- its due to reversion of the exhaust gases. The particles will score up your cylinder walls and mess up the piston rings leading to oil consumption problems and lower power output if you loose compression.

Fix- if its under warranty- new cats, if not get some headers - gain power and no more noises.

 

If i bring it to the dealer to see if it's the cats wont they charge me until the figure out what the problem is?

 

They wont touch them....just telling you from now. Best bet....get yourself a set of headers and be done.

 

how much more noise and dron do headers cause?? because i want to get headers but i like how my car is a sleeper until floored

 

The extra noise is negligible if you retain the stock rear section.

 

i have the same problem, but mine rattles when going over bumps too. I have no cluse what it is. I've been under the car and can't find anythign loose. For the longest time I thought it was my WS y-pipe cuz of all the fitment issues i've heard. I thought it was the brakes, but I took everythign apart and nothing. It feels like its definitly coming from somewhere in the exhaust. I feel it most when I let go of the gas after accelerating. It's not a big rattle, but just loud enough to mess with your head.

 

I agree probably heat shield........I had that problem on my mazda and i just took the damn thing off......

 

upon further "listening" I tend to get mine under light accelleration, when turning right only.....this makes me think "heat shield" not cat problems....will take them off tomorrow and see if it goes away.....

 

i hear mine when i start the car and when i turn it off.i heard it under acceleration but that stopped.

 

I'm amazed how this has happend to so many at one time Please let me know how to "remove" the heat shield cuz mine rattles on when startup and then ends after until I start the car again...