I did a search with no help, because most people have exhaust rattles. I'm think it might be my timing belt tensioner is going bad. The rattle noise only comes on when I accelerate to around 3K RPM and holding it there. If I let go the gas, then the noise goes away. In the higher RPM range, I can't hear it. I don't think I have a bent valve, because the noise would be constant. or Do I just need a valve adjustment? TIA

 

its common in integras. I have that situation now on my car at 3500 rpm. any lower or higher does not make that noise. If i stay at 3500 it has a constant rattling noise. Most people say its either my lower heat shield header or the cat....Never had a chance to look at it...but i think its normal

 

Most likely a heat shield, bolts rust/rot off and a piece touches the exhaust somewhere at whatever RPM ... VERY common

 

I have this problem and have started a few threads about it too. I never got an answer that worked. I keep hearing "heat shielding", well I've taken every piece of heat shielding off and it still rattles.

Mine happened after I put a new header on, so it's exhaust related. Right now my guess is maybe the gasget between the header and the cat is bad. I've already checked every bolt I can find.

Maybe someone will finally have a good answer for this problem, or maybe I'll get off my lazy *** and bring an answer back, but I think both are very unlikely.

 

Had the same problem when I put on mt greddy EVO2 it was a heat shield. Just had the guys at the shop bend it in place and tack it with a few welds

 

I have no heat sheild or CAT, that why I don't think it is my exhaust. I hope someone knows the soultion to this problem, since I'm not the only one. I'll try to look under the car this weekend again and see if anything is hitting.

 

OH!!!!you may want to check by the hangers on the muffler there was a piece that had to be cut off to get my muffler to stop rattling after my Dc hedder was put on!