TrevorsTII

iTrader: (1)

Ok, so after days of searching and trial and error, i am still not 100% sure what my problem is. First off here is what i have.

2004 M/T GT
TurboXS cat-back with midpipe
AP with MM tunes
SS brake and clutch lines
stoptech brake pads

Here is the story about how this noise came to be, and what all happened.

So after doing a coolant change and putting on my SS Clutch line i noticed a slight rattle/chatter sound coming either from my engine compartment or transmission on my way home. When it started i figured that it may have been my heater core cycling, but it was only audible when the car was in gear and under slight or heavy acceleration. If cruising it isn't audible. May still be there, but can't hear it. I figured all this out while on this drive i did. i went on a nice long drive to pick some family up after i got done at the shop. ( about 150 miles) On the way out there i hit a junction to another highway so i punched the gas and when i let off all my brake display lights lite up. I freaked! car still drove fine, brakes worked properly, so i just shut key off then on while moving, fixed the light problem. It was raining at this point and i do have condensation in my Passenger tail light, so i figured that could have caused it. Still a little worried i just slowed my cruise to 70mph and monitored my temps, with AP. On the way back from picking my family up, (Keep in mind this noise still there, but haven't noticed any changes in volume or anything.) i got this random check engine oil light on. It turned on then right off. I just about pissed myself, i pulled over, shut car off, and took a deep breathe. Popped the bonnet and got out, ready for the worst, but hoping for the best, i lifted the bonnet, everything seemed sound. checked the oil, was low, but not dangerously, so i grabbed the quart of oil that i ALWAYS keep with me, and dumped it all in. Re checked the oil, set perfectly full. Checked for any leaks, none. Couldn't smell any oil or anything, so my thought was that i was on a slight hill and oil was a little low, so that may have tripped it. Started car back up, nothing unusual, let it sit for a second, checked for leaks, everything seemed fine.
Continued home CAREFULLY with no other issues other than this rattle noise.

After that happened i started really looking into this noise. I read a bunch of threads and posts with similar issues, but i am not sure it is the same. I have an appointment with Mazda on Monday, but i would like to try and get this sorted out before the dealer rapes me with labor fees.

Over the past week the car has driven fine, don't feel any real loss in power, shifts fine, and no other noises other than the normal trans whining sound, and then this unknown rattle/chatter. It does sound sorta metallic, but it has the same rhythm, and doesn't sound like anything is just randomly getting tossed. Just like a repeating rattle. My trans fluid was replaced about a year ago with Redline MT-90. No leaks. I am about 75% sure its tranny/drivetrain related. As of now the noise has gotten louder and i can slightly hear it at idle now. I walked around the car listening the best i could, my exhaust doesn't help. And i don't hear it from the engine compartment, but can hear it from the driver side right where the fender and door are, and inside the car. I put my head under the car and can hear it too. I haven't had the time to lift the car since. But that is the plan for tomorrow.
I am going to re check the trans fluid and make sure that nothing is hitting the tranny. My car does vibrate and after reading through the tranny sticky, i think i need to replace my motor mount too. But i am not sure if that is the problem. Could be.

Let me know what you guys have in mind. And if you need more info on anything else let me know.

Thank you in advance

Trevor

daffyduc

I believe I have the same rattle.... mine has been rattling for about a month. I took it to mazda but they said it was bad gas.... I drove that tank empty and filled up with non ethanol 93 grade... still rattling.... if you figure it out please post up...

DocBeech

iTrader: (1)

Could be anything from the catalytic converter (if you still have it sometimes they sound like marbles in a can when they start to fail), to the stainless steel line chattering against something, or maybe a bearing in your transmission is failing. Wouldn't know until you can pinpoint the exact location of the rattle. But check your cat, and listen real close to your transmission for a bearing failure.

TrevorsTII

iTrader: (1)

I have a midpipe, there for i don't have a cat. I know about the "marbles in a can"though.I know the difference, and its not coming from the passenger side.

Bearing in the tranny would be more along the lines, but not sure. I imagine that if something was failing in the tranny i would notice a difference in shifting? Not sure though

The line wouldn't be making any noise as it is coated in Teflon. I will try to get a better idea of where it is coming from tomorrow.

Daffy, i only run 91 octane. And i don't think it is coming from the engine.

I think i may make a stethoscope and take a listen to my transmission.

DocBeech

iTrader: (1)

I would start at the transmission and if so then I would be looking at the Pilot bearing, Throwout bearing, or the Transmission input shaft bearing is where I would start. If you find it to be where the engine and transmission meet.

TrevorsTII

iTrader: (1)

So took it into the shop and couldn't hear the same sound standing under the car that i hear when inside the car and windows up. All i could hear under the car was the noise from my header/exhaust, my transmission whining and my spark from my plugs or coil packs. Had another member sit in the car with me while driving to see if he can help pinpoint an area. He also believes it is the transmission. So i am going to take it in and have mazda diagnose it. Pretty sure you could be right though DOC, bearings or something along them lines.

DocBeech

iTrader: (1)

it would be easy to hear inside the car if the transmission bearings are failing, since the only thing between you and the transmission is a thin piece of plastic.

TrevorsTII

iTrader: (1)

I'll post up after i get back from the dealership on what the verdict is.

Thanks

daffyduc

I fixed my rattle.... I had my dad drive it (mechanic (excluding rotary engines)) he said "if you had valves I would tell you its valve rattle, but my guess would be its unburnt fuel igniting in the exhaust... some cars have that trouble when the plugs get dirty... lets start there..."

I replaced these...



with the new plugs the rattle is gone.....


I have coil packs and plug wires on order.... should be in this week.... my car has 59,000 miles on it... my rattle is gone, lets hope yours is as easy to fix...

DocBeech

iTrader: (1)

is that plug cracked? and I am hoping that ceramic was broken because you dropped it lol.

daffyduc

yes that was a front one... I dropped it while trying to break my wrist to reach it :D

DocBeech

iTrader: (1)

No where I was talking about its not cracked I only took a quick glimpse the first time. Its just a shadow effect. As for the breaking your wrist part why make things harder than they must be :P

daffyduc

Well I finally pulled the DIY and realised taking the driver side tire off would make life easier. I just jacked her up and did it from underneath. Still not a big job...