SoMe1337GuY

Hello, I am experiencing a metallic rattling sound upon acceleration in my 1994 Honda Del Sol. It occurs the most and at the loudest when I am shifting through the first three gears. I have checked underneath the vehicle and it does not seem like a heat shield or anything hanging down. Can any of you figure out what this is exactly?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zr2Y...ature=youtu.be

Thanks, I appreciate your help and consideration.


------------------
SoMeGuY

ESQuireMyke

Have you had any shifter work done? Or bottom out your exhaust. But sounds similar like the bottom of your shifter vibrating on top of your exhaust. Had this happen to me

SoMe1337GuY

While it naturally sits low, I haven't lowered this vehicle at all. I do not recall bottoming it out at any point, but sometimes I do go over speed bumps and potholes, which could cause some damage underneath. I did get under the vehicle and try to rattle some things, but I could see anything disconnected, dangling or compromised. I haven't had any shifter work done, though I didn't get the car until 2012 and the previous owner said the guy before him put a stage 2 clutch into the car. The sound only occurs under acceleration, no other point. Moreover, it is specifically the sound that mimics a metal bar rolling across the ground or perhaps a plate wobble on its edges until it comes to a complete stop. Thanks, I look forward to more information.

Jimi Hondrix

Might be the dust shield scraping the rotors. If that's the case just bend the shields back a bit for clearance.
Another possibility is heat shield above the catalytic converter.

ninjaturtleEG

Could be brakes? Your brake pads may be worn all the way to the backing plate causing a metallic sound. And/Or your calipers could be seized and your brakes are dragging.

SoMe1337GuY

I am not hearing any metallic noises or grinding when applying the brakes or when the wheels are moving freely. This noise only occurs when I press the gas pedal.

SoMe1337GuY

Has anyone else heard this similar noise before?

middletons

Is the noise present when idling? Does it go away when you push in the clutch? Could be input shaft bearing.

Hayden Evanoff

I have a 95' del Sol and I have the same thing in mine; specifically, just like the OP, when I am accelerating.

My old motor had issues with this as well, and I ignored it. After about 3 months driving 70 miles a night on a newspaper route, the sound slowly got worse and worse. I took it to the mechanic and they didn't know what it was, so I continued to ignore it.

After another month or so, it got to the point that anything above 3000 rpms cause massive rattling and eventually it broke down while I was on the road. I ended up having to replace the motor with a used one because they told me that it was caused by a rod bearing and that since my engine was so old it would cost the same amount to replace it as it would to repair it.

Now I have a used D16Z6 (again) and (again) I have minor rattling in second gear at around 3500-4000 rpms. So I really hope its not the same thing.

SoMe1337GuY

I took it to a mechanic today, and they said it was the catalytic converter. They didn't say if it was just rattling, but their recommendation of replacement makes it sound like an internal issue. They referred me to a muffler shop instead, as they do not do that kind of work. I also had a friend get under the car the day before while I rocked it back and forth in gear, and he could see the exhaust pipe was visibly shaking in the middle. I go to a muffler shop on Monday, and I am going to get them to show me the specific issue when the car is on the rack. Moreover, I am going to have my motor mounts inspected, as this could be causing additional vibrations down the pipe. Why not at 213k miles? Haha! Thanks to everyone who gave their input on this issue thus far.

Jimi Hondrix

The screen(s) inside the cat could possibly get brittle and break off. My guess (as i said before) is the heatshield above the cat converter is causing the noise. If the muffler shop is honest they will let you know which one it is. Honestly, with that many miles a new catalytic converter combined with a new o2 sensor (unless replaced within last 100k miles) would most likely increase gas mileage and help the engine run smoother.

Del Sol Catalytic Converter online prices: https://www.google.com/search?q=1995+honda+del+sol+catalytic+converter&so urce=univ&tbm=shop&tbo=u&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjq6MrCicj SAhXLSSYKHdHVDX4QsxgIHA&biw=1280&bih=906
So, you have a comparison when the muffler shop gives you a quote. Have them break down their quote by part price and labor time