How to Fix Rattling Noise When Accelerating

If you are hearing a rattling noise when accelerating, then there is a need to examine it. The rattling noise can either be a simple fix or show a pending sign of a serious problem.

It can be somewhat tricky diagnosing ratting noise problems sometimes such that it may require you to somewhat bring your vehicle to a certified mechanic.

Vehicle rattling noise is common and can be caused by a couple of different issues. Fortunately, many of these issues are caused by relatively minor severity and can be fixed quite easily.

The main issue is mostly rather about locating the source of the noise rather than the tediousness of conducting the actual repair.

Today, we will look at some of the common sources of vehicle rattles that can occur when you start or accelerate your car and how to fix the problem.

how to fix rattling noise when accelerating

Causes of Vehicle Rattling Noise When Accelerating

Here are some of the causes of rattling noise in your vehicle when you are accelerating.

1). Loose Exhaust Hangers and Clamps

Corrosion can cause the exhaust system’s hangers and clamps to deteriorate. This occurrence can cause these components to become loose, and decay to a point of failure.

Therefore causing excessive vibrations when you are moving the car. The noise level varies in intensity under acceleration.

How to Fix It

To best solution to the cause of the problem typically involve component replacement. You can replace damaged hangers with their equivalent OEM parts and the rusted clamps as well.

Also Read:

How to solve your 2007 Honda Odyssey engine ticking noise issues

How to fix car humming noise when accelerating

2). Failed Catalytic Converter

Today’s vehicles employ the use of catalytic converters to break down common emissions-related pollutants, turning them into less toxic chemicals.

Unfortunately, these devices can fail at the hands of overheating or impact, causing pieces of their internal structure to break away, and be left to rattle about. This noise often sounds like marbles being shaken inside of a can.

How to Fix It

This type of issue can be fixed by replacing the failed catalytic converter. But it is important to investigate the root cause of the problem. This is because catalytic converters usually operate without issue unless the damage is caused by an underlying issue.

3). Damaged Heat Shield

To protect other components around the vehicle exhaust system, heat shields are used around it to protect them from the effects of heat radiation.

Though the heat shields themselves are relatively trouble-free, they are somehow prone to the effects of rust and corrosion.

After some time, they can separate from the mount and start vibrating against other components nearby.

How to Fix It

If the heat shield begins to separate from its mount, it can either be welded back or replaced and reattached. In a case of corrosion, the best thing will be to replace the heat shield with a new one because the heat shield integrity is compromised.

4). Loose or Damaged Steering/Suspension Components

Components such as the bushings can be worn, the shocks and struts can also lose their efficiency and linkages can display free play within their end sockets.

Meanwhile, your vehicle relies on the steering and suspension components to get you to where you are going comfortably.  However, as these components age or get hit with some sort of force, it can cause a whole host of issues.

How to fix the issue

A proper diagnosis of the individual steering and suspension components will need to perform by a qualified mechanic.

5). Poor Fitting Brake Components

Your vehicle brakes are really important and the brake components are placed under tremendous strain and force when you are bringing the vehicle to a stop.

This can cause individual components to shift if they were not fitted in a snug manner. If one or more brake pads are missing their anti-rattle clips, brake chatter can often happen.

This issue can be fixed if you do a careful inspection by yourself to see which components are causing the issue or if take it to a professional if you are not handy.

6). Loose Trim or Compartments

Loose interior trim can cause rattle sounds or even improperly fitted glove compartment door. And as the driver accelerates, the loose components will begin to vibrate more quickly and produce audible rattle noise.

How to Solve the problem

To diagnose the problem will require you to place hand pressure on the various components within the vehicle cabin. While doing so, you can listen to the offending rattle to be stifled.

Give a kick to the panel trim, doors, dash bezels, glove compartment doors, and center console lids to figure out the exact cause of the noise.

7). Engine Accessory Issues

The engine is the car powerhouse and anything wrong with it can cause any vehicle owner to panic. But hearing a rattling sound from your engine area doesn’t necessarily mean you have an engine problem.

Sometimes, it’s just the engine accessory components that are making the noise instead of the actual engine components.

Things like the bearings of any drive belt-driven component are prone to failure, which can produce a range of noises including rattling. Lose hold-down brackets are also a common source of engine rattles.

How to solve this issue

If from inspection you believe the noise is coming from the engine bay area, then you can now focus and try to locate the exact component causing the issue.

You can begin by checking if all the engine-mounted hold-down brackets are tight. If they are not tighten them up.

Next, if you are convinced that the belt-driven accessory is the one causing the noise issue, then you can remove the belt and lightly rev the engine.

However, this test should be conducted for a few seconds because the drive belt is a vital component in the proper functioning of the engine components such as the water pump and alternator.

NB: If you know you don’t have an idea of what you are doing,  let a qualified mechanic do it for you.

8). Internal Engine Issues

Internal engine issue is the worse fear of any car owner. Internal engine issues are rare but if it happens, then they can produce rattling noise.

So what are the three main culprits that can cause engine-related rattle noise?  These include piston slap, rod knock, and lifter-related issues.

  • Rod knock produces unmistakable metal-on-metal clatter that slows in frequency at low speeds.
  • Piston slap noise tends to sound like a muffled, metallic rattling noise that changes in frequency with engine speed.
  • lifter-related noise is also known as ticking noise and varies with the speed of the vehicle.

To fix engine-related issues, will require first of all a qualified mechanic who can do extensive internal engine work or an engine overhaul.

Each of the aforementioned issues is typically expensive to remedy, and often requires extensive internal engine work or an engine overhaul.

9). Loose of Other Small Items

Another common cause of internal rattle noise is the vibration of spare change and other small items within a vehicle’s cup holder or ashtray.

Sometimes, we can forget small items like bolts, nuts, and other components that can cause rattling in these compartments.

These small components can cause a rattling noise when accelerating down the road.

To fix such issues, you simply have to empty the cup holders and the cabinets.

Final Thoughts

There are many issues that can create vehicle accelerating rattling noise. It can be annoying especially when you don’t where the noise is coming from.

A lot of the issues raised above that can cause rattling sounds when driving is because of lack of proper maintenance.

For this reason, be sure to take care of your car, and if it does start rattling, handle it before it gets worse.

Josephine

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