Before my car warms up (when I first start it up in the morning) I can hear a strange rattling from under the hood on the drives side any ideas of what it can be?

 

AC clutch bearing?
PS pump bearing?

 

I start hearing it at about 3000 RPM's

Also when I start up my FC it goes up to 3000 RPM's and it stays there for awhile

 

3K for ~17 seconds = AWS (auto warmup system)
It gets the pre-cat up to temp.

 

Oh, thank you I just got my FC so Im still wondering things, heheh

Any idea what the rattling can be

 

I had the same sort of rattling in My Turbo II, but it was actually in the dash (malfunctioning gauge)...

If you get someone to rev the engine with the hood open you might be able to track down the sound better. (I tracked a bad squeeling sound to a dying air pump bearing).

 

You should be able to disable the AWS by starting the car in gear or by disconnecting the water thermo switch at bottom of radiator.

Does it rattle even when you're seating in the car in a stand still (car not moving) past 3,000 rpm (is that what you're saying ?)

what kind of rattle (like metal tapping on metal) ?

hugues -

 

cold start will keep engine @ 3000 until warm

 

It taps when the car is sitting and driving, its not really a metal sound, its more like a chatter

 

Hmm, I just went out and started up my car right now and no chatter, only when the AWS activates

Good thing is the engine has never had flood problems

 

if it happens only at certain rpms (ie certain frequencies) then it's probably a heat shield. The one around the exhaust manifold on the NAs tends to crack around the bolt holes, and then just rattles.

 

Hmm, Ill check how much is a new heat shield?

 

Really, I wouldn't run one. I got my car w/o one and am still not running It w/o any adverse effects.

 

Run one what, AWS?

 

there pretty cheap, and you can always make your own if you want to be ultra-cheap.