Whats that noise?

[mnunes810]

I have a '99 Ford Ranger, automatic, 2.3L, 151,000 mi. I am hearing a somewhat quiet clatter from up front under mild to moderate acceleration around 2000-3000 rpm. I think it could be the timing chain slapping. Any takers?

 

[ShortyzKustomz]

Belts usually dont make clatter

 

[slolearner]

Matbe pinging from lo ooctane gas....I switched to mid range and it got alot quieter.....

 

[Mark_88]

Probably a loose heat shield...had that on my Tempo and just about drove me nuts...fortunately it was under warranty at the time and they found the problem in a few minutes...

 

[mnunes810]

Belts usually dont make clatter

The joke is on me I suppose I am old school I was unaware the truck has a timing belt instead, I bet it uses unleaded fuel too. (I will give higher octane a try) Someone mentioned the heat shield which one was the problem in particular incident?

 

[Mark_88]

On the Tempo it was a cat shield...but there may be a few of them on your vehicle...you can start by going in and doing the "TWANG" test...rap each piece of metal with the metal end of a screwdriver...if you hear a dead "thump" then it is not loose...but if you hear a "TWANG" or similar vibration noise then check that the piece is not flopping around...

I just fixed a similar annoying rattle on my Ranger...thought it was a belt of loose bearing...but it turned out to be the cut end of my EGR tube rattling in the socket...lol

 

[Cacher]

Check the heat shields around your catalytic convertor. Mine rattled for months and drove me nuts, I looked under the truck half a dozen times, and finally found that two of the three weld mounts on the top shield had come loose, and it was hanging by one weld. A long flat screwdriver, and five minutes later it was fixed, or should I say "dumpsterized."

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

my 99 2.5 does the same and even my bro's 00 3.0, so my guess is the octane..

 

[Flat Toy]

I put a can of Berrymans B12 in my 98 2.5 when it starts to rattle. Happens about two times a year. I think its just carbon buildup.