Strange Noise, any ideas?

97 XLT 4X4,4.2L · #1 03-28-2003, 04:40 PM

Hi all,

I posted a similar concern on the ''other drivetrain" forum, but nobody there could help me. Anyway, I've got the 5-speed tranny and now that it has finally started warming up and I've got the windows down, I can here a strange noise. When I'm starting in 1st gear I get this slight rattling noise that reminds me of something like coins being shaken in an empty aluminum can. It sounds very much like the noise that happens when you're in too high a gear and you suddenly hit a hill. Does anybody know what this is?

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TexfordD · #2 03-28-2003, 06:49 PM

Loose heat shield over a cat.

97 XLT 4X4,4.2L · #3 03-30-2003, 11:49 AM

Thanks. I'll check that out.

greencrew · #4 03-30-2003, 01:43 PM

Also, there is a shield above the cat that protects the underbody. The rivets on my 99 were lose and I noticed in spring when I opened the rear sliding window.

I don't have an idea of the sound, but if it is engine/trans related you could check to see if the trans bolts are tight.

If it is pinging then you may be letting the clutch out too early. Give it less gas, and hold the clutch longer. Do you get the same sound when you do a rolling stop in second gear?

My 01 5 speed had a rattle that happened at 4,000 rpm that I never did find.

97 XLT 4X4,4.2L · #5 03-30-2003, 03:44 PM

greencrew:

At first I thought I was letting the clutch out too early also, but I don't think that is the case. There is no noise when I roll to a stop in second. It is raining pretty hard here, so I haven't had a chance to check out either of the heat shields the two of you suggested. Quick question: say it was one of the heat shields, what would happen if I were to take it off completely? Would I be a fool for doing this? Thanks for the help.

greencrew · #6 04-01-2003, 02:22 PM

I don't know, but it is easy to repair. I don't have my 99 truck anymore, but I think the dealer just took some sheet metal screws and screwed them in where the loose rivits were.

wittom · #7 04-01-2003, 02:48 PM

I get the sound like I'm in too high a gear going up a hill when I start off. I usually let out the clutch at idle, no gas, and then ease into the throttle. It slows the engine considerably. I do it because I think it preserving the clutch. It's easier to replace U-joints than a clutch. I would have to say that a sound like this is normal.

Coins being shaken in an empty aluminum can sounds more like a heat shield. The E250 I drive for work is famous for rattling the heat shiled when I'm in D at a stop. It's really annoying. The dealer fixed it once, appearently, but that didn't last too long. I don't own it so I will just deal with it.

Let us know what you find 97 XLT 4X4,4.2L.