Weird rattle noise from valve train?

[glxrustang]

Ive got a noise from the engine that sounds more like a rattling than a knock, and it flutters when I get off the gas. Sad to say, my shims probably haven't been adjusted since 1994. I only recently purchased this vehicle in August, with more than 180,000 miles on it. That's a total of 3 shim jobs that might have been missed. So I am hoping this is a valve issue and not a throwout bearing or rod issue.

What does it sound like when valve shims are worn???

Thanks.

 

[93rev2sev]

I only recently purchased this vehicle in August

You realize it's the middle of March, right? I think the term "recently" expires after 60 days.

If you think the car has had no valve adjustments in 16 years then why would you even ask what valves sound like? Just do the adjustment before you spit a shim.

 

[glxrustang]

Spit A Shim??? What the frak does that mean?! I'm used to push rods more than anything, maybe lash adjusters, but not this lobe over bucket thing. So that's the sound eh..?

 

[glxrustang]

I can't take the car down yet, until my mustang is fixed or my bronco, right now its my only primary transportation, crap

 

[rubydist]

In my experience, its more likely the timing chain tensioner not holding the chain tight - that results in more of a rattling noise like you describe. Loose valve adjustment is a tick/click noise like any noisy valve. fyi, most of my SHOs have never needed shim adjustment, so I doubt very much that any of them are loose enough to spit a shim out.

 

[Jh8990]

are you sure its not the cats? a bad cat will have a rattling noise

 

[Vnuk1]

Check the Catalytic Converter Shield those things come loose and make a rattling noise that sounds like what you're describing. Or it could be the Hydraulic Cam Chain Tensioner those loose tension and they rattle against the Valve Cover's at certain RPM ranges, ask me how I know....

 

[glxrustang]

A ticking sound..no it's like a rattle. Maybe a very fast light knocking. So im hoping its the tensioner.

Will replacing the timing belt solve the problem? That's part of the 60K maintainance anyway. I'm going to lunch soon, I'll listen for the cats then, but the noise isn't low and isn't like sheet metal flapping against metal. It's like a fast knock..

(praying its not the rods..)

 

[needaQuaife]

Rod bearings require how much down time to complete?

 

[Vnuk1]

A ticking sound..no it's like a rattle. Maybe a very fast light knocking. So im hoping its the tensioner.

Will replacing the timing belt solve the problem? That's part of the 60K maintainance anyway. I'm going to lunch soon, I'll listen for the cats then, but the noise isn't low and isn't like sheet metal flapping against metal. It's like a fast knock..

(praying its not the rods..)

Make a mental note on when you hear it (What RPM) and let us know.

 

[glxrustang]

Went home for lunch, sounds like a baseball card in the spokes of a bicycle. So sort of rattlely, sort of knocky, but fast as ****. Around 2000-3000 RPM. It's very muffled, sometimes louder. And, it changes when I press the clutch in, almost like it disappears. I don't know if it's because the RPM changes or what. Also, can't hear it very well at idle, but maybe because my exhaust is too loud.

Throw-out bearing instead?

 

[Vnuk1]

Look at your Catalytic Converter Shield please and just see if it's loose that will rule it out so we can move on to something else. Possibly lay next to the car and have somebody rev it a little and it will be very noticeable if that's what it is..

 

[frosho]

...And, it changes when I press the clutch in, almost like it disappears...

Throw-out bearing instead?

This sounds like a TOB issue.

 

[93rev2sev]

Crank Cancer

 

[Vnuk1]

Yup sorry, that could be your TOB. If it is present when you do not have the clutch in and then it disapears when you push it in then most definitely the noise..

 

[shoon]

Does it sound similar to this?
(clutch pressed in at ~15 seconds, released at ~18)


Could also just be normal transaxle noise; read Neutral rollover noise:

 

[SuperHO]

if you're mechanically inclined, and everything comes apart without much struggle, rod bearings take about 4 hours, give or take. even if that's not your problem, do em anyway.

 

[whiteguy3]

TOB for sure

 

[SHOtime2511]

could be TOB or the chain tensioner.
Ive been driving around with a TOB that is way louder than that for 2 years.
You can only hear it when the clutch is let out while stopped at a light or something.

 

[glxrustang]

Man this all sounds scary. It's not real loud at all, but its there and the thought of a rod wiggling loose or worse yet the TOB def not good. Owners before me had the clutch replaced, but did a crap job. I lost my speedometer awhile ago too. I checked the cable all the way to the trans, so it must one of the gears.

I think it can wait but not too long. It's quiet and interminent, whatever it though, its getting louder and so probably worse.

Thanks for the great intel

My Plan:
Pull Engine, replace TOB
Flip it over, and replace bearings (low oil pressure light flickers)
Timing belt and inspect tensioners
Valve Shims
Motor mount
Speedo gear