Annoying noise around 3 thousand rpms :(

[96rsbawell]

Hey guys. I just got a 96rs eclipse. I've done the intake and exhaust so far. Its manual. I have this problem though and I cannot for the life of me figure it out. There is this weird rattling going on (idle or moving) around 3k rpms unless im stepping on the gas. Now I'm pretty sure first thought is check the heat shields. I already did and took off the big one over top the exhaust. At first i thought it was my cat. NOPE. New cat is on and still does it. I'm completely lost If anyone knows what this noise is or has any other ideas for me to check please let me know. This noise is driving me crazy.

 

[scotyu]

any chance of a video? that could help with diagnosis

 

[gudz519]

try putting your car in neutral and revving it up if it makes the noise then engage the clutch pedal and see if it goes away just a thought

if this works most likely you need a throughout bearing

 

[Blak Pearl]

yeah a video would really help ..

 

[96rsbawell]

I just tried that and the noise didn't go away.... I will put up a video as soon as i possibly can. Does anybody think it has to possibly do with the timing belt and that part of the car?

 

[jeffbrewer86]

I have the exact same problem with my girlfriends 95 tsi awd. What you are describing is what hers is doing to a T. I don't think the timing belt or anything has anything to do with it because we just did her timing belt, water pump, tensioner, and acc. belts about 2000 miles ago. Let me know if you figure something out because I'm as lost as you are.

 

[96rsbawell]

http://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=d0f16587e6&view=att&th=1250f4b99af5848d&attid=0.1&disp=attd&zw


I hope you get this and can hear it. My phone sucks on taking videos...

wrong link hold on

YouTube - VID00043.3gp

 

[Fotowntalon]

just to help pinpoint in the movie, it is that almost ringing sound when the rpms stay at one point right?

 

[96rsbawell]

yup. any ideas?

 

[VelocitàPaola]

I couldn't hear it too well from you video, but it's probably the heat shielding on your exhaust (if you have the stock exhaust). I had a similar issue once. The rattling noise would appear at very specific RPM's. It turned out that the heat shield on one of the exhaust sections rusted and broke loose from its mounting point. It's safe to completely remove the piece, so that's what I did... until I scrapped the whole exhaust system for something aftermarket.

 

[96rsbawell]

Which shield are you talking about. I already took off the one that connects to the bottom of the car that goes over the exhaust. The big one. It's like 3 feet or whatever. I have a brand new exhaust on it. It is literally one week old. I took some other shields off too and that didn't stop it either.

 

[VelocitàPaola]

It was between the catalytic converter and one of the first bends of the stock exhaust. If you've already removed it, and you have an aftermarket exhaust, then those shields probably aren't your problem. Have you had someone rev the car while you better listen to where it's coming from?

 

[96rsbawell]

Yeah. ive been under the car over the car both sides. its right around the motor but I can't figure out where. What else besides shields can possibly make a noise like that?

 

[Locke]

With the engine/exhaust cold, you can have somebody rev the car until the noise happens while you press a hand against various heat shields until the noise stops; that'll be the heat shield giving you problems. Either rip it off, or wrap a large (or a pair of) hose clamp around it.

 

[96rsbawell]

Ok. So if I do this and that noise is still there what should I do? I thought I checked all the shields already but I'll do it that way when the engine is cold.

 

[inthemidst]

try removing the ac belt and see if it goes away,just a suggestion

 

[Blak Pearl]

where does the noise sound like its coming from??

 

[urmomsaniceguy]

check your alternator bolts. my car made the same noise. make sure its tight.