Alright HT, so I've got a 1994 Honda Del Sol Si, all stock, with 192k and I've begun to have this weird rattle. I'm not quite sure where it is coming from. I've put the car on jack stands and got underneath while it was running to listen to it. Still kinda hard to locate exactly where it is coming from but, it does sound more towards the firewall. Also, this rattle will come and go intermittently. Odd enough, first start up when ice cold, there is no rattle, not until the temperature gauge registers on the actual first line does it begin to make a weird rattle. When parked and running, this rattle seems to do it once every couple minutes, but when driving, it occurs much more often, annoyingly while stopped at a stopped light or sign. I thought it could be the timing belt, but no dice when I listened. Power steering and AC have been removed, so it could be neither of those. Transmission doesn't make any noise and I'd know if it were a throwout bearing or input shaft. I've thought of valves or possibly the exhaust shield, or even the intake manifold. Already have oem gaskets for the exhaust, intake, and valve cover so I can do those and the valves to clear my mind off that for tomorrow morning, but, I don't want to just throw more parts at it after this. Anyways, new gaskets couldn't hurt. Any input on this would be greatly appreciated. I don't know what else to look for. Thanks.

 

motor mounts perhaps....??

 

Never heard of motor mounts causing a rattling noise intermittently. If that were so, it sounds as the the rear mount would be the culprit but idk. Like I said, last thing I want to do is throw parts at it.

 

Alright so work has been killing me lol. Haven't had time to diagnose. Finally lifted the car and got underneath. Found that one of the hangars on the exhaust is zip tied? WTF? Shook on the entire exhaust and it could actually be the culprit but I'm not sure. Didn't have enough time to stay under there long enough as I have work again. Anyways, also while I was under there I noticed the fuel tank looked off. So.... I gave it a shook and it's got a lot of play in it to where it could also be the culprit. I'm unsure again. Going to post pics and a video. Any input would be appreciated. Have to take another look tomorrow morning before work. Thanks.

 

This looks off. Two hangar points, only one hangar. ???

 

 

is there a chance that the heat shield is being hit by the exhaust?

 

Can't figure out how to make this video work lol. On photobucket.

 

Referring to the heat shield, your meaning the one up front right off the headers or underneath near the cat?

 

yes sir. i hit a small animal and it bent mine and it would hit the cat/shift linkage from time to time during idle..

 

Hmmm that could be. When I bought the car it was lowered and when you look at the exhaust, it does appear to have the marks aha. Toooooo low. Put it back to stock height. I took off the heat shield off the headers because it is not required, and to make sure it was not that. If it is the heat shield near the cat... can I just remove it? Or does it need to be replaced? Thanks in advance.

 

you might just be able to bend it with your hand. thats all i did.. i would leave it on there. i mean it was put there for a reason. im sure you get a new one. it might of jus bent over jus enough to hit sometimes.

http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/...artsSearch.jsp
^^ this is the website i always look at to get the part number. then take it down to the local honda dealership.

 

Aha I use that sight for all my parts Anyways i will give it a look tomorrow morning and find out if that could be the culprit. Also, I do the work on my car, I don't let anyone else touch it except for alignments. ^ ^ No trustworthy shop around here and a lot of shady people. Thanks for the tip! Report back soon enough.