Oil viscosity issue or something worse?

[sflrainmaker01]

So, I have been driving my "new" Marauder for approx 1000 miles over the last month. It has run flawlessly, although I still haven't stomped it from a stop, yet... :rolleyes:. Anyway, approx 900 miles ago I went to the local Ford dealer and had them do oil and coolant change. I am pretty sure they put in 5w-20 with hopefully the right filter.
On the way home from a 120 mile trip last night (on the last 3 miles or so) I noticed a "noise" from under car. I didn't notice or hear it driving only free-revving when I pulled over to listen. On initial inspection by me, it sounded like a converter rattling. I only revved to 1500-2500 rpm. So, I drove home. I did hit it once from a stop light alongside a curb to see if I could here anything. All I heard was the the smooth roar of the engine & the tires spin when it shifted from 1st to second at about 4500 rpm when I let off. As I drove through the neighborhood, couldn't hear a thing. Got in the driveway, put in Park and revved again, noise....:mad:

This morning, car started like normal, no oil leaks, no noise :D. Drove 15 miles to work (easy) with window down, couldn't hear anything. Get to work, put in Park, noise like last night. :mad2:

What is the deal? I don't think it is the converter. After doing some research online, it seems like I should really be running 5w-30 or 40. Maybe that will fix it? I know that going to a slightly heavier oil (with some Lucas) really helped my Towncar for the last 4 years.

[RF Overlord]

Unless you have a power-adder, you don't need anything more than 5W-20. That said, 5W-30 would be fine also.

Can you get a recording of the sound? There are SO many things it could be and I doubt that your oil choice is one of them.

[Mebot]

doesnt sound like an oil issue to me, but did you check your dipstick? are you low at all?

when you heard the noise did you have anything else on (radio, AC, blower etc...). our cars have been known to make funny electrical noises (such as the air ride compressor, or the blower control)

before you go & change the oil, lets diagnose & troubleshoot first

sent from space

[sailsmen]

Have an oil sample analyzed. I use Blackstone Labs.
Could be a million different things. If it's your engine it could run thousands of miles like that or go out the next time you accelerate.

[RubberCtyRauder]

Yes, see if you can post up a audio clip. It could easily still be a bad cat or other exhaust components that get loose after all warmed up, exhaust manifold leak? but those don't tend to rattle. exhaust pipes bent rubbing on something? watts link arm or other? you need to crawl under it on jack stands or up on a lift.

[sflrainmaker01]

doesnt sound like an oil issue to me, but did you check your dipstick? are you low at all?

when you heard the noise did you have anything else on (radio, AC, blower etc...). our cars have been known to make funny electrical noises (such as the air ride compressor, or the blower control)

before you go & change the oil, lets diagnose & troubleshoot first

sent from space

No radio, no people talking, just me and the car. The noise is definately not electrical. Just when it revved up there was a metal type of rattling sound. I was just finishing a 120+ miles one-way trip. So, the car was running perfectly until I heard the noise at the stop light. It was running so good (I thought) that I just put the window down to give it a good romp at the light! Otherwise, I would not have heard it.

Oh yeah, I checked the oil last night when warmed up, perfect. I also checked it this morning before I started it (cold), perfect and clean.

[ncmm]

Maybe the person who worked on your car left a tool in the engine bay
or on your frame. Once after a service visit I opened my hood and found a six inch screwdriver near the firewall. :eek:

[fastblackmerc]

No radio, no people talking, just me and the car. The noise is definately not electrical. Just when it revved up there was a metal type of rattling sound. I was just finishing a 120+ miles one-way trip. So, the car was running perfectly until I heard the noise at the stop light. It was running so good (I thought) that I just put the window down to give it a good romp at the light! Otherwise, I would not have heard it.

Oh yeah, I checked the oil last night when warmed up, perfect. I also checked it this morning before I started it (cold), perfect and clean.

Air ride compressor running?

[sflrainmaker01]

Air ride compressor running?

Yes it works, but it only turns on for a few seconds at initial startup and a rare now and then after that. But, I would know that sound since I have had so many of these FOMOCO products with rear air suspension.

[sflrainmaker01]

Yes, see if you can post up a audio clip. It could easily still be a bad cat or other exhaust components that get loose after all warmed up, exhaust manifold leak? but those don't tend to rattle. exhaust pipes bent rubbing on something? watts link arm or other? you need to crawl under it on jack stands or up on a lift.

At lunch, I am going to try to get under the car. I will take it up to get a car wash (wash off those darn love bugs from this weekends trip) and let it warm up. Then, I will see what I can do about posting a clip.

The exhaust system up front is tight. It has Kooks headers with 2.5 or 3 inch X pipe with a pair of hi-flow cats into Thunderbolt mufflers and out thru the no resonator tips.

[Blackmobile]

Possible the innards of a high flow cat could have let loose which can produce a rattling noise.

[J-MAN]

Maybe a bad bearing in one of the pulleys or the tensioner?

[RubberCtyRauder]

Since you have aftermarket exhaust stuff..kooks, etc..check all the clamps used if it wasn't welded at all the connections. I had a car with a broken exhaust clamp that would rattle when taking off from a light/stop.

[Spectragod]

Possible the innards of a high flow cat could have let loose which can produce a rattling noise.

^^^Yep^^^ I already blew 1 of mine out, made the strangest rattling noise......

[sflrainmaker01]

Ok, I had a mechanic take a quick look at it. His suggestion was that it sounded like a bearing in the front of the transmission. The noise sounded in front of the cat converter to me so this makes sense. I would have thought about a trans bearing, but don't know much about them. Come to think about it, if it was a stick shift, I would have guessed a throwout bearing.

[Krytin]

The exhaust system up front is tight. It has Kooks headers with 2.5 or 3 inch X pipe with a pair of hi-flow cats into Thunderbolt mufflers and out thru the no resonator tips.

These have been an issue for more than one person on this site and the noise is exactly how you describe it. Location of the sound fits.

[Marauderjack]

Get a stethoscope and listen to the catalytic converters......I'll bet you will hear a LOT of rattling!! :eek:

Unlikely it's a trans bearing but I guess it could be!!:cool:

[sflrainmaker01]

Using a pipe, I couldn't really tell. But, if I had to guess based on sound (and a little emotion), I would say converter, but I won't rule out tranny. I have an appointment at the tranny shop tomorrow. They also have an exhaust shop next door. So, that should be cool.
The car just runs, shifts and drives great. I would find it hard to believe that it could be the tranny. Lets hope it is only the converter.:popcorn:

[sflrainmaker01]

Get a stethoscope and listen to the catalytic converters......I'll bet you will hear a LOT of rattling!! :eek:

Unlikely it's a trans bearing but I guess it could be!!:cool:

Yep! It is the drivers side converter! :woohoo:

I am only excited it's the converter because the other two possibilities are alot more $$$$$$....!

[Blackmobile]

Now the question is to replace or gut........Down here in So Fla. you can guess my choice.



Yep! It is the drivers side converter! :woohoo:

I am only excited it's the converter because the other two possibilities are alot more $$$$$$....!

[sflrainmaker01]

Now the question is to replace or gut........Down here in So Fla. you can guess my choice.

I had an old 5.0 Coupe I got from a guy who "gutted" the 4 cats on the stock H-pipe. That car sounded funny to me compared to the many others I have had. So, I replaced the h-pipe with a stock one that had 4 working cats (not gutted) and sounded and ran better. I noticed that there was a slight gain of low end & a little less HP on top end (SOP meter), though. I would only guess that there could be a similiar situation here. So, I am going to replace. The BIG question is with which type/brand?

I looked through some old threads in "Exhaust" and it seems that Magnaflow is a popular one. So, I am going to check out the 100 and 200 spun metallic count ones and compare price etc.

[sailsmen]

"I looked through some old threads in "Exhaust" and it seems that Magnaflow is a popular one. So, I am going to check out the 100 and 200 spun metallic count ones and compare price etc."
DEFECTIVE will not honor their product.
Post #77 http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?p=1198800&highlight=magnaflow#post119880 0

[SC Cheesehead]

I had an old 5.0 Coupe I got from a guy who "gutted" the 4 cats on the stock H-pipe. That car sounded funny to me compared to the many others I have had. So, I replaced the h-pipe with a stock one that had 4 working cats (not gutted) and sounded and ran better. I noticed that there was a slight gain of low end & a little less HP on top end (SOP meter), though. I would only guess that there could be a similiar situation here. So, I am going to replace. The BIG question is with which type/brand?

I looked through some old threads in "Exhaust" and it seems that Magnaflow is a popular one. So, I am going to check out the 100 and 200 spun metallic count ones and compare price etc.

How about another option? Shorty headers, high flow cats and a mid-pipe, ready to bolt on?

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=86889

[sflrainmaker01]

How about another option? Shorty headers, high flow cats and a mid-pipe, ready to bolt on?

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=86889

Thanks Cheese, but already got Kooks, Xpipe and all!

[sflrainmaker01]

Ok, so just ordered a pair of Magnaflow Hi Flo cats#59956 with the spun metallic guts with 200 count. $30 a side to put in and $85 each through a local speed shop (rather give the local brick and motar guys biz when I can). They were a little cheaper than what I found on the net but I gotta pay sales tax...close enough, though! Going in Thursday to get it finished up. The exhaust shop said they would also tighten up the rest of the system too (missing a couple hangers)!

Thanks again for all your help! :up:

[Marauderjack]

Glad that's all it was!!:beer:

I've seen rattling cats many times on Marauders!!:shake:

I gutted the cats on a 1990 Mustang 5.0 and it sounded horrible......rang like a bell on acceleration so I'd suggest no doing that!!:shake:

Good Luck!!:beer: