dominik331

My friend and I have been trying to pinpoint this rattle on a 2007 TSX w/Navi. The rattle only happens while at idle when in drive or reverse, it goes away if we shift to neutral or park. It also temporarily goes away if I slightly turn the steering wheel since that puts a slight load on the engine or makes the rpm to raise a little. It sounds like it is coming from the engine bay closer to the firewall. At times it also sounds like is coming from the dash. The car has a new steering pump, and auto tensioner and belt. The steering rack was replaced a few months ago. any suggestion would be greatly appreciated. I included a video below. Half way through the video the rattle stops when I turn the steering wheel.

No Parking Any Time

I think I have a similar problem but the rattle sound is only noticeable when the car is first started and only in reverse.

Miamicarfan

Check your motor mounts.

dominik331

There seems to be no excessive movement from the motor mounts.

MRTSX

Recently had the same symptoms in my 2006. The plastic cover under the engine compartment was loose/rattling.

dominik331

During one of my troubleshooting sessions I removed the entire plastic cover under the transmission but the noise was still there.

bkmdano12

I have the same thing on my 04AT. I'm sure this only happens with AT. I looked it up and found out it could be aged engine and tranny mounts that cause more vibration than when they were new.

dominik331

I also think it could be the rear engine mount but both Acura service and an independent mechanic think it looks fine.

MRTSX

Hey dominik, did you find the cause/source of the rattle?

kewlliljethro

I have the same issue, occasional rattling only in R and D in idle, and it seems like it's coming from the driver side dashboard. Hopefully someone can chime in on what the cause is!

dominik331

Nothing yet. At time it does sound like it's coming from the dash, but when I get closer to it or under the dash it sounds more like is coming from behind the firewall towards the middle of the engine bay. Frustrating it is.

deadlyklappy12887

i have the same problem. i plan on replacing my motor mounts (just because they are old) so lets hope that it kills 2 birds with 1 stone.....i wouldnt be surprised if that was the culprit

drzladysman

Hello all, this is my first post BTW

I have an 04 AT and had a very annoying rattle under these circumstances you guys have stated. I believe my problem is also what you guys are experiencing. For me it was the belt (spring loaded) tensioner. It'll rattle when i very first start driving at low rpm, sometimes while ac is on, and when i turn the wheel at a stand still. To diagnose, put your car on drive or reverse, hold the brake pedal, and tap the gas pedal accordingly. You should hear the rattling. That's how i diagnosed mine. You can also do this with a buddy and have him do this, while you VERY CAREFULLY listen in the engine bay. I hope this helps you guys as this was very embarrassing and ANNOYING for me as well.

dominik331

We thought it was the tensioner and replaced it but that was not it. Are you referring to the auto tensioner by the steering pump?

I'm leaning towards rear engine mount or exhaust related.

I get close to the mufflers and the sound coming out of there has the same rhythm as the rattle noise. When it's happening, the noise is sort of transmitted through the mufflers tips, but that could be the vibration of the engine.

Looking inside the engine bay while is happening has been of no help. The engine and accessories all sound normal and fine.

drzladysman

Yes. I replaced the tensioner (which also has a belt wear indicator) and rattle was gone! HUGE relief. Well hopefully you guys figure out the rattling. Who knows, I might get this new rattle myself and I'd like to be prepared lol

SirBLaughs

iTrader: (1)

I bet your heat shield to the exhaust manifold is rusted and is loose causing that rattle at idle.

I had a similar rattle and that was my problem...

drzladysman

Actually i think i jynxed myself because now i have a very similar rattle. My tensioner WAS bad though as i experienced a noticeable difference throughout the low rpm rattle. But now i notice there is still some rattle. Mecanich says it's one of the motor mounts, but i like to diagnose things myself so i'll look into this heatsheild most likely later on today. Thanks for the tip!!

dominik331

Mechanic at the dealer said he checked and it was ok althoug At this point I would not discard any suggestion. Yesterday as I was merging to the highway I gave it some extra gas and heard a metallic rattle for the first time, the rattle I have been hearing is more of a plastic nature.

I'm planning on bringing back to dealer again for further diagnostic.

Calisto

Had the exact same issue on my '08 TSX w/60K and it was in for service yesterday so I asked them to look into it and they came back telling me it was the heat shield around the catalytic converter. Replacement is $190 installed (Schaller Acura, CT) which isn't to bad and their diagnosis/solution does make sense so I'll probably lump it into one of my next few oil changes.

dominik331

Was it the same sound as what I have in the video I posted?

dominik331

update:

The rear engine mount was replaced, drove the car for a week and did not hear the freaking rattle at all until today, but it was a very faint sound. Something I could probably live with if it doesn't get worse.

Replacing the rear mount made a big difference. Almost no vibration at idle or shifting and slowing down. The car drives quieter now. The very low rattle I heard today could just be an indication that one of the side mount might need replacement as well.

TexasHonda

Suggest removing the accessory belt and see if the sound continues or disappears. Either way you've removed a number of possibilities.

To me it sounds like an accessory issue, but youtube audio clips are difficult to interpret.

good luck

cls1000

Mine had this problem as well. I jacked the car up to look around and all it was, the converter shield was lose. I drilled a few 1/8 holes through the shields around the outside edge, put some rivits in it, and all is quiet again. (about a 10 minute fix, including a beer) Also, a very easy fix is to just buy a really big worm/hose clamp (whatever you want to call it) and just wrap it around.

dominik331

Belt was recently replaced thinking it was the issue but not.


I might give this a try. After replacing the rear motor mount, the noise is still there but not as loud as it used to be before the mount replacement.

When I have a chance I will put it on a lift and check the heat shield.

dominik331

By the way, Thanks everyone for your suggestions.

No Parking Any Time

My rattle has gotten a lot worse. I hear it going over bumps and potholes now. I should probably get around to uploading an audio clip.

No Parking Any Time

This isn't the best recording. But it might work. You have to turn your volume up, a lot. The first sound is me shifting to reverse, the rattle comes right after.

No Parking Any Time

I should add that it's an '06 AT, 40k miles.

dominik331

I kind of hear a purr rattle like mine but it is too short to tell.

No Parking Any Time

I couldn't take it anymore. I took my car to a shop for this rattle problem and they said that was the issue. No more rattle!

MRTSX

I also had the heat shield repaired --- no more rattle.

dominik331

What's involved in repairing the heat shield?

No Parking Any Time

I don't know, but the labor charge was quite low. Which means it probably only took them a few minutes.

Winnipeg Aspec

From the description of the service it sounds like they did one of 2 things

A.) drilled a hole and reattached via wire, zip tie or cable
B.) just completely remove the damn thing

I know thats what we do at toyota :p

84dotstsx

I have an 04 Acura TSX Automatic. When coming to a complete stop or switching to drive or reverse. I would hear a metal rattling noise coming from what sounded like could be anywhere towards the front of the car.
After an hour and a half of trying to guess what the noise was considering it would not make the noise while in park. My sister took a look while i was stopped in drive, and all the noise was, was the bar that holds the hood up has a little plastic piece at the base of it to hold the bar in place when shut. The plastic piece had come loose so i pushed it back in and the noise was gone and still is! thank god!