New Protoge5 Owner, Rattle?

[iKevin]

Hey everyone! This will be my first post here, and I don't know that much about cars so bare with me here.

So I just purchased a used 2002 Protoge 5 and I really like it, but I just noticed something: it's standard, and when I start to accelerate from a stopped position, I sometimes hear this rattle sound for a second or two. Now, not being a car guy I don't know if this is a normal sound on this particular model car, but I'm slightly concerned that something might be wrong with the car, or maybe something is loose? Could this be something that's caused when the car is cold? What kinds of things could potentially be wrong with the car? It doesn't make this sound; however, when I'm just revving when I'm in neutral. It sounds like it comes from somewhere on the underside of the car.

Any help would be awesome.

Thanks!

 

[Tzar177]

Hey everyone! This will be my first post here, and I don't know that much about cars so bare with me here.

So I just purchased a used 2002 Protoge 5 and I really like it, but I just noticed something: it's standard, and when I start to accelerate from a stopped position, I sometimes hear this rattle sound for a second or two. Now, not being a car guy I don't know if this is a normal sound on this particular model car, but I'm slightly concerned that something might be wrong with the car, or maybe something is loose? Could this be something that's caused when the car is cold? What kinds of things could potentially be wrong with the car? It doesn't make this sound; however, when I'm just revving when I'm in neutral. It sounds like it comes from somewhere on the underside of the car.

Any help would be awesome.

Thanks!

Sounds like it might be a heat shield rattle. Rev the car while in gear but with the brakes on and have some outside the car listening

 

[iKevin]

Sounds like it might be a heat shield rattle. Rev the car while in gear but with the brakes on and have some outside the car listening

Are heat shields expensive to fix/replace?

 

[Tzar177]

Are heat shields expensive to fix/replace?

Nope. You just remove them. They are not really needed

 

[iKevin]

Oh ok cool.. I haven't got a clue where it is and how to remove it, any tips or should I get a mechanic to do it?

 

[Tzar177]

Oh ok cool.. I haven't got a clue where it is and how to remove it, any tips or should I get a mechanic to do it?

No do not get a mechanic. Its really simple, but have you determined that that is indeed your problem?

 

[iKevin]

No do not get a mechanic. Its really simple, but have you determined that that is indeed your problem?

Not yet, I'm gonna try and figure it out before doing anything stupid.

 

[raserx]

The heat shields are between the hot exhaust pipes and the underside of the car. The one over the catalytic converter will sometimes rust, get loose and rattle.

 

[iKevin]

The heat shields are between the hot exhaust pipes and the underside of the car. The one over the catalytic converter will sometimes rust, get loose and rattle.

Ok I'll give it a look, I don't have a way to prop my car up but maybe I can persuade my mechanic to take a look at the underside -- for free -- real quick and see what's up.

If, let's say, it is loose, how much would something like that cost me to fix/replace? Are they pricey?

 

[alexelie]

not pricey, you just remove it and you are done.No cost. Juts dont go over grass when the car is hot, it may burn it lol. Your mech is an idiot if he makes you pay to remove it.