I have seen many posts regarding similar noise problems but few people have posted how they have resolved this issue.

When driving at about 2500-3000 rpm just leaning into the throttle I hear a rattling or marbles in a can sound, but fainter than detonation. Of course i initially thought it was detonation but I don't anymore. I tried filling up a different gas stations, added 2 cans of octane booster, and even removed my JDM chip and it is still there. I went to 2 dealerships, 1 could not reproduce the sound (must be a deaf mechanic at Ford Country in Lewisville), the other dealership replaced one of my cat pipes. The noise is still there however. There is no noise without engine load (in Park). I also seem to have a lot of noise from the power steering when I hold the wheel at a partial turn (probably unrelated).

It kind of sounds like something is loose in the intake or exhaust or possibly a bad pulley bearing. There is no noise at WOT. I have an Magnaflow muffler, K&N filter and JDM chip, all else is stock.

Any ideas are appreciated.

 

If it is what I think it is, go fill up with premium gas, get VP Raceing fluids Octane Boost. It is called pinging My lightning did it and that is how I fixed it.

Pat/ bluelightning

 

I was thinking piston slap at first?

 

It may be 'pinging' not detonating? Since you mentioned it might be "exhaust noise"; a restricted exhaust can cause pinging or detonation---maybe a clogged cat-converter???

Dan

 

the way you desribe it as "rattling" it could be a heat sheild, or the dust sheild on the front brakes if you bump into them when doing suspension work they can rattle.

 

there was an issue with the exhaust rattling on something under the floorboard on the pasenger side. I think alot of 01' had this. What they did was loosen the exaust and run it till it heated up, then refastened it.

My father's 00 did this, turned out to be a broken internal cat

 

could it be a heat shield for the cats or muffler??

 

Blue Lightning,

I am 95% sure it is not pinging. I have heard my lightning ping before and it is loud and clear and easy to identify. This is more subtle and is not affected by premium gas and "2"cans of octane booster, and removing my chip. If it is pinging it has nothing to due with my octane levels. I have replaced my fuel filter just to be sure I am not leaning out.

I really think something is loose somewhere in the exhaust or intake. They replaced one of my cats but it is still there. Maybe it's the other cat? Could it be the blower pulley? Muffler? the voices in my head?

 

go out and tap on your rear tail lights, i have a vibration at 2800 rpm's everytime they loosen up,sounds like the whole bed is vibrating!!

 

Tail lights? This sound is coming from the engine area, not the rear.

 

In my opion octane booster is trash! Use something better bro!

 

What's better than octane booster. I am open to ideas, but i still don't think it is pinging.

 

Hmmmmm,

I' am starting to believe the heat shield thing. You seem to know what pinging is and can pick it out when it happens. Hmmmm, I will think about it and post later. If you call Freedom Ford in Edmonton, Alberta they are awsome for over the phone trouble shooting call them at 1-800-463-3612 ask for darren in service.

pat/bluelightning

 

I had the exact problem on my 2000. With the chip in its a bit louder I noticed. I took it in to Bankston Ford several times while they tried everything under the sun to fix it. The eventually put a completely new motor in it and the sounds was gone.

 

SCC,

I hope I don't have to go to that extreme to fix the problem. The engine seems to be running fine. I am thinking about removing the heat shields and seeing if that fixes the problem. Like I said there is no rattle when the engine isn't under load so I don't think it is any major mechanical fault.