bad rattling (somethings broken) noise - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

meethed · 03-24-2005, 23:48

somethings broken noises are the worst kind...

anyways my 250 xflow has (out of nowhere) decided to rattle like a bitch when i lift my foot off - idle, or deceleration. Like when my last engine died on me, it sounds like something is loose, but instead of in the engine, it sounds external. I've recently noticed the clutch fan start squeaking once it warmed up and was over 3000rpm.

I found around 2000 it gets worse, which interestingly is also when my exhaust starts getting a bit of drone happening. Checked it hasn't dropped anywhere, and the engine isn't running rough or shaking or losing power or anything.

Any ideas what I should look for?

johnydep · 03-25-2005, 16:14

Is it an auto?

Could be:

torque convertor
fan clutch faulty
water pump faulty
harmonic balancer failure
catalytic convertor
mounts
loose exhaust
tailshaft/universal joints
loose cross member bolts

meethed · 03-25-2005, 19:59

its auto, i think its a bw35 (shift is on the driver's side)

ok isn't the exhuast, no cat (XD), the engine isn't shaking at all, does this rule out mounts? It happens in any gear, so it can't be tailshaft. had a look at the convertor, it all seems tight enough.

Is there anyway to check out the fan clutch / water pump? Remove the fan belt and run it for a few seconds? I have been told the water pump isn't working the best, but it has never come close to overheating. The belt is fine, its all tight and not worn.

Every now and then the starter just grinds away instead of turning over the engine, but the flywheel gears look alright.

Might just check under the rocker cover, the noise is coming from the firewall side *somewhere* or at least that's what it sounds like.

Any other ideas?

81foXDwagon · 03-27-2005, 03:58

Could it be a lifter thats totally decompressed and wont prime. That will give it a really loud tapping noise thats sorta rhythmical. Also could it be the timing chain?? Thats another thing that would rattle like crazy if loose.

Id be betting lifter anyway. Let us know how it turns out!

meethed · 03-27-2005, 21:22

will do. i really don't want to have to but we've got to do a whole castle-type car swap around, i'll either send the thing to a mechanic or rip the engine to pieces later on.

meethed · 03-31-2005, 20:53

guy who put in the new engine and trans reckons its a bad flex-plate. We had a look before, didn't seem to have any (obvious) problems. Best part is it's under warranty, although I feel sorry for the guy who has to do all this for nothing.

there isn't anything wrong with driving on sealed roads with the tranny cover plate off is there? my old man cbf trying to get it back on, he gave up after about 5 minutes of fiddling!

81foXDwagon · 04-01-2005, 01:33

I wouldnt leave it like that forever, as water will get in there on wet days.

If its an auto it should be ok for a while... if its a manual i would do it soon as the clutch will fill up with crap.

meethed · 04-01-2005, 16:05

just drove it 20 minutes to the guys place, only to find out he's gonna get started on monday. guess i should hope it doesn't rain this weekend!!

meethed · 04-04-2005, 23:25

fixed - turns out that (somehow) the flex plate has been able to loosen itself sooo much that ALL the bolts were finger tight. now all i need is a new water pump to stop the thing squeaking past 3000...