Ok guys, I'm sick of seeing these, so my guess is you guys are sick of seeing them as well. I have searched but did not find an answer to my specific question.

Well, here's the details (or lack there of). My girlfriend owns a 2000 Civic Dx and there is currently a rattling noise. It happens when she is at idle, as well as first gear, and for the first half of second gear. It is worse when downshifting to second, especially around turns. I can not tell exactly where the noise is coming from, but it is def. from the front half of the car. The noise seems to be coming from anywhere between the tranny to the midsection of the exhaust. It's very hard to pinpoint exactly where it is coming from.

My guess was the classic catalytic converter heatshied (did not try removing yet), or maybe a loose clamp in the exhaust, but I'm open to all suggestions as to what it may be. Thanks in advance for any help

 

Check the cat. Hit it firmly, but lightly when everything is cool.

 

Thanks for the quick response. Are you suggesting that it is a bad cat, or just the heat shield that is making the noise? What sounds would I be listening for when hitting the cat?

 

2nd exam of the day bump.

Any help is greatly appreciated

 

The heat shield is probably falling apart. Just listen for the same rattling noise.

 

Could be a bad cat, or loose exhaust clip, or even the heat shield. Really hard to help with noise problems over the internet. Kind of a wasted post.

 

Sounds good. Just hit it lightly with a wrench? Where is the cat. converter on 2000 civics? I know its not on the exhaust like most hondas are. Sorry for my ignorance...

 

Underneath the car, between the 2 front seats.

Bang on the exhaust at several differnt points, as there are several heat shields.

 

Ok. Will they be easily identifiable? I never actually looked at a stock exhaust on a 2000 civic.

Also, this is not really a wasted post...I'm just asking for some options of what it may be in case it isnt the heat shield. I understand that you guys can't actually hear the noise, but I'm just looking for suggestions from people that may have had a rattling noise before.

 

The cat will be the only part of the exhaust that isn't round. It'll look like a heatshield covering the exhaust itself. You can't miss it.

I can't tell you what it is without hearing the noise. More than likely, it's just a part of the exhaust rattling.

It could be anything though.

 

Thanks man. You have been a huge help