hello, i have a 1993 RHD FD,
whenever i start my car, sometimes ill hear rattling noises under the car. it sounds like metal clanging each other, it doesnt matter if its idling, or if im driving, it stays the same throughout. car was rebuilt about 3 months ago but the sound was still there before and after the rebuilt. car drives awesome. also it sounds like its coming from the middle of the car? its super annoying.. please let me know if anyone has some insight for me! thank you

heres a video of the noise

 

Heat shields are a common culprit. That sounds a little more...significant. Rather than everyone speculating, why not put the car up on stands and have a look yourself? Wouldn’t think the source for that would be all that difficult to find.

 

Goodness, maybe the PPF is cracked in 2 but if the motor mounts are good would the motor still rock enough to create that much clank of the 2 halfs.

 

Definitely get the car on jack stands and get under there with the car cold and shake, grab, and pull on different parts of the exhaust.

I can't watch the video now but I'll check it out later.

I've seen one of the aluminum tunnel braces installed upside-down and backwards before which made the exhaust hit it and cause all kinds of funky noises. Could also be loose material in the cat, broken heat shield, missing exhaust hanger, or broken PPF as stated.

Dale

 

ill definitely do that, i checked under before but lost hope since i didnt feel anything loose.. but i will check thoroughly this time.
mm thank you i just searched up on PPF, didnt even know what it was, but thank you for your insight! also i think my motor mount are fine, my engine does not shake much or none at all during start up or idling, is there a way to test if motor mounts are good?
thank you sir

 

As far as a motor mount check the only way i knew mine were bad is i was resealing my oil pan and seen my drivers side was in 2 pieces once i dropped the subframe. I seen this is super common even on low mileage cars but if you just had the motor out then it is impossible not to see they need replacing. Maybe to double check make sure there is no fluid leaking out of them. Im not sure if you could use a pry bar to check for movement between the motor and subframe. My engine didnt rock too much either so i would never have known unless i dropped that subframe or the passenger side one was bad too.

 

I'd vote for Dale's "loose material in the cat," if you are taking a poll. Kind of the "Mat in the Cat," if you like Dr. Seuss.

 

Finally got to listen to the video. The sound does sound like something internal, like broken material in the cat.

If you don't find something external it would be worth pulling the cat and having a look inside.

Dale

 

Well what was it?

 

sorry for the late reply guys
It was the cat, just changed it out to straight midpipe.

Thank you!