I have a 2002 Acura RSX Type-S w/ ~93,000 miles. I bought it used last year with about 85,000 miles. Unknown service history, however everything appeared to be in good shape. Previous owner claimed it was on the original clutch, however it still feels good, does not chatter, or slip (was driven by a woman, and I don't think she ever pushed the thing at all).

This problem started about 2,000 miles ago, which manifested as a rattle that would occur occasionally when accelerating from a stop in first gear. However, the problem has since gotten worse, and shifted in the RPM range that it occurs at.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEURJT6RrYk


As you can hear in the video, there is a rattle that occurs when lifting the throttle @ approx 3500 RPM, and continues to rattle as it decels below ~3200 RPM.

This rattle occurs intermittently at low RPM's in all gears, typically at low speeds. However, this rattle is most easily reproduced by lifting as demonstrated in this video (which was in second gear @ ~20mph).

Some usual suspects were identified and ruled out. I removed the half-shaft axle heat shield, to no effect. I also removed the plastic VTEC cover, also to no effect. The exhaust manifold heat shield felt solidly attached when pushing it by hand. Aside from that I couldn't see anything obvious to check.

I have not checked the catalytic converter heat shield, but will as soon as the car cools down.

Any other suggestions?

-a