I have a 98 5spd base with 68K miles on it. The only mod I have had was an CAI but decided to go back to stock to avoid any hasstle using my warranty.

The problem is, my engine makes this funny clanking (like something is loose inside) sound always between 2500 RPM to 3000 RPM. Sometimes but not always, I can hear it at idle as well when the car is cold. But between 2.5K to 3K, I can always hear the sound no matter the temp, speed or gear.
The dealer says it's just the engine getting old (no sh$t) and don't even want to look at it (maybe because I am still covered under their warranty).
What could be the cause of this problem?

 

check your heatshield bolts. the ones on the heatshield covering the exhaust mani and the ones under your car that's between your car body and the catalytic converter.it's an all too common sound that comes from the 5th gens

 

Timing Belt Auto-Tensioner failing? That's usually a symptom.

 

Hey man, I got the same thing on my 93' lude. It rattles... I think that would be a better term for it. But mine is more like fomr 2700 to 3100 rpm. I was told by mmy mechanic that it was probably a heat shield somewhere, I looked for it and all kinds of things. I was hoping for some help on the same thing. Anyways, it drives me crazy, buot to get a new exhaust cause of it, but i dont got alot of dough. Well, any at all. So, exhaust headers, and full exhaust pipe/system seem a little bit difficult for me right now. Iwas hoping that maybe someone knew where it was coming form, i took off heat shield on headers, and am about to take all the others off to, unless someone can help me out. I didnt know this occured in anyones car besides min until now. I think its a loose bolt or shield or sumtin, prob. near the cat. I know its not down by the muffler, so its gotta be form cat to headers, but I dont got a lift, or access to one. and time. So, i havent located my problem. I hope someone cna help us both out.

 

I agree with satan on this one. I tried to find the service bulletin but I can't. I do know that the part # for the replacement tensioner and belt kit is 06144-P13-305. Maybe that will be enough for your dealership. BTW, is it a 'flapping' noise that you hear? That is what the S/B calls it

 

sounds definatly like the timing belt tensioner problem.....

print this out-->> http://www.alldata.com/TSB/24/982443AC.html

take it to the dealer, i got mine fixed under warranty.

 

The AutoTensioner sounds about right, but if not... I had mine replaced at around 60,000 because of the TSB on it, yet lately mine's making the same sorta sound he described. i can hear it off and on (like it's clink clink.... clinkkkk.. clink...) at idle, but does get louder up to about 3500 rpm. It might be a heat shield somewhere since it seems to be really doing it since the last snow we got and I had to drive it (sorta iced over and was about 5" deep). it's exactly how he says, sounds like something is loose, but it sounds like it might be in the bottom end of the engine.... atleast mine anyhow. Not exactly sure what yet


[Modified by rjr162, 10:19 PM 1/12/2003]

 

i agree with satan.......the tensionar find out soon..................bad **** happens when that fu#ker breaks

 

yup u get new valves... or worse pistons too..

 

Heat shield sounds about right. Now that I think about it, I remember hearing some "flapping sound" back around 55K. I remeber replacing something and it was covered by warranty. So I guess that was the timeing belt tensioner thing. So that narrows down my current problem to the heat shield. I will bring the car into the dealer sometime this week and see what they say.

 

let me know.. I'll be taking mine in wednesday for the ABS light (man I just want to rip that crap out, and i do mean CRAP!!!)

 

My heat shield that covers the cat has some pebbles in it that rattle at random RPM's, and actually make it sound like its coming from the engine, but its not, so i dont care.