Rattle noise under acceleration - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

05-07-2003, 00:16

Hi I've got an EA Falcon which I put a 4 speed auto in months and months ago, where I took the motor out, etc etc.

Well ever since then I have a very loud and annoying tapping noise when the RPM of the motor is pushed up into the 3000's or higher. It sounds like a metal against metal type sound(sort of like tapping a coin against metal but louder), and you can't hear it at all until you push the motor speed up.(no this isn't noisy tappets)

The noise comes from what seems to be around the automatic bellhousing or the exhaust near the bellhousing, though the exhaust doesn't seem to touch.

Also we managed to reduce the noise a little by loosening the Automatic support arm bolts and then tightening them up, but the noise still kicks in, just at a higher RPM. Also I noticed it's worse when the motor is cold, and gets quieter as the car heats up.

I've just today as well got a 2.5" exhaust from the cat back, and now my car revs a bit more freely obviously the sound is even more evident.

Anyone have any ideas? Help!

FalKeen · 05-07-2003, 00:21

mate ive got exactly the same problem in my AU
am taking it to mechanic on friday
will let you know

honer · 05-07-2003, 01:33

G'day........ Sounds like your torque converter bolts comming loose and hitting the bell housing.

Common problem in the 4 speed autos...... Take off the inspection plate of your bell housing and check it out.. Probably find thats your problem.

B-1B · 05-07-2003, 03:30

I know that this may sound silly but are you sure that it not pinging?
Check the fuel pressure regulator.There is a small vacuum hose that connects it to the inlet manifold that may be perished or come off.
Just a thought.

05-07-2003, 05:53

Dunno, never heard a car ping before... I've been told it sounds like a popping noise. This is more of a loud metallic whacking noise.

Regarding the loose torque converter bolts thats probably a big possibility, but I doubt the bolts are loose(always possible tho) However the backing plate on the auto would be pretty damn close to the flywheel/bolt heads so if it's flexed inwards a little it might hit I guess.

Might have to go to the trouble of removing the backing plate I guess and check it out.

!Gn|T|0n · 05-07-2003, 08:14

Pinging sounds like a metal-on-metal sound, very much like something has come undone... quite rattle-like, but usually you can tell it is coming from the engine bay. I must admit, the issue of pinging did cross my mind as I began to read this thread. Why would a loose torque converter only rattle at high engine speed. If you rev the engine in Park or Neutral, what do you find? It won't ping under this condition, but torque converter rattle may still be evident.

05-07-2003, 09:18

Yeah it happens in Park or Neutral as well. Just rev her up to a certaing RPM, and you got your nice metal tapping noise happening. Mind you I have noticed a power lose at the higher RPM sometimes, might be complete unrelated tot his problem though.

The strange thing was when we undid the support arm bolts for the auto and tightened them up again, surprisingly most of the noise went away and fixed some of the problem. This makes me think that either the metal backing plate is flexing inwards and hitting the torque converter somehow(because the support arms crush against it) or the auto transmission is not aligned properly which i don't really see how it couldn't be.

This car is sending me crazy... I fix one problem, only to end up with another!