Got a rattle....

[PeeWeeQ]

There's a bit of a rattle/knock on the front part of my engine on the passenger's side. I've only had time to take a glance and a quick listen so I'm throwing this out there to see what opinions I may get from the collective...

My first thought is that it might be an alternator...Oil and various fluid levels are good, just changed out the u-joints on the rear DS, and I can hear it (the rattle/knock) at idle. I touched and shook everything in sight briefly and couldn't find anything that felt loose. That is what it sounds like, though--like something is loose. The engine seems to run pretty smooth--My Gen lights do stay on until I goose the throttle a bit, but then they don't come back on until I shut 'er down and turn 'er back on....


Any thoughts? I'm just looking for a good place to start....

Thanks!

 

[wayne pick]

Check the power steering pump bracket.The top adjusting tab snaps,then the rest of the bolts start to back out. I know it's on the left side of the engine, but with all the racket a 6.2 makes it's sometimes hard to tell where noises are coming from.

 

[blackhueys]

yep check the p/s pump mounting. I had a weird noise before and come to find out that there are all kinds of bolts on the pump the one that finally did it for me was a little hidden one on the bottom area had to get to it from underneath to tighten it but no noise since.

 

[Alabama Mike]

mine was doing it as well, my rattle turned out to be the heat shield that is on the passenger side, mine would rattle at idle but go away during acceleration.

 

[southdave]

I use a wood dowel, some use a screwdriver, like stethiscope to pin point noises for what worth

 

[PeeWeeQ]

Thanks guys! All good info and places to check. I do like to use a long screwdriver to pinpoint noises. That has served me well in the past...I heard a squeal when it was 18 degrees the other morning too. I changed out the alt belts but not the PS. I guess that's where I'll start....

Thanks again!

 

[Whitfield]

I prefer listening thru a good length of 3/8" hose over the screw driver (Sometimes I'll just disconnect and use the overflow hose). We used to use the hose for listening to / pin pointing exhaust manifold leaks / vacuum leaks and other misc noises. You don't have to be close and moving around the general area you can usually tell you if you are warmer or colder to the source of your noise.