guys/gals.. first off i have a '08 SES Sedan Automatic. I have this annoying rattle that seems like is coming from underneth the hood or underneth the car... in a way it sort of sounds like a heat shield is loose... its not really loud but its quite annoying as i know the rattle is there :)

anyone have similar issues on there '08?


thanks!
Mike

Is it on the passenger side? I have a similar rattle on the passenger side that appears to be coming from the front of the car that I am having looked at on Friday.

I have an annoying little rattle in my engine also, I kinda noticed it from like 2-3 days after I bought the car.

i cant really pinpoint its the passenger or drivers side but ill take notice next time.

also to add.... i really notice it when the get off the throttle and get back on the throttle and the car "lugs" ahead forward as if the trans is in the pricess of kicking down to a lower gear.

I haven't had that problem with mine, so I can't help - sorry

Something in the glovebox perhaps?

have u done anything to the engine like take anything off and put something on or unscrew something?

nope!


Something in the glovebox perhaps?

no i havent...

damn this "rattle" is killing me! ;)


have u done anything to the engine like take anything off and put something on or unscrew something?

im thinking the rattle is either:

1. loose heat shield somewhere or...
2. a throwout bearing of some sort

Wow I have the same thing, Ive been trying to pin point it for the last month! I also have a rear end noise to? It may be suspension, it only happens over bumps.

Wow I have the same thing, Ive been trying to pin point it for the last month! I also have a rear end noise to? It may be suspension, it only happens over bumps.


i dont have rear end noises like you do but after driving my car this morning im starting to think its tranny or drivetrain related, as i heard the noise while my trans was in the process of changing gears.....hmmmmm......

Have you tried adjusting the two rubber stops by the hood release? If those aren't slightly touching the hood when its closed it can rattle a bit under certain conditions. A good way to test is to put a little bit of vaseline or something on the rubber stops that will transfer to where the meet the hood when its down. Close it and if nothing transfers, back them up a little (just screw in) and test again till you get them touching. Then see.

i dont have rear end noises like you do but after driving my car this morning im starting to think its tranny or drivetrain related, as i heard the noise while my trans was in the process of changing gears.....hmmmmm......

I think we have the exact same rattle. I can hear mine when changing gears as well. Ford told me they didn't hear anything, and it doesn't bother me when the radio is on. So, I will wait until it gets louder or someone here finds a solution to worry anymore about it.

I think we have the exact same rattle. I can hear mine when changing gears as well. Ford told me they didn't hear anything, and it doesn't bother me when the radio is on. So, I will wait until it gets louder or someone here finds a solution to worry anymore about it.

The reason you notice the sound more when changing gears could be that out of gear, the normal vibrations of the engine / transmission temporarily gets 'disconnected'. So what you are hearing during those brief periods is the 'raw' sound of whatever is vibrating. With the engine in gear, it gets masked by the other vibrations of the drivetrain. Is it a 'tinny' sound? - check for loose heat shields, splash pans, etc. Could even be a heat shield on the exhaust system. Also look under the hood for any metal parts that are touching (or real close to touching - when the motor's off, they may not be hitting. )

anyone else have any feedback?

I had a similar problem with a Nissan 4 cyl truck - MANY years back. Took it in many times and was told it was the exhaust popping. Exhaust gases weren't burning completely and when hitting the hot exhaust they exploded. Sounded stupid to me but they weren't going to fix it. It sounded like someone rattling keys in their pocket and it was for the entire ride. Others in the truck with me said they never heard it but it drove me nuts. EVERY time I drove it rattled. After just 3 months I traded for a large truck. Took the loss in the shorts big time and a Nissan will never be in my yard -ever. I have the Focus 5-speed '08 for about 2 months now and hear the A/C making a slight noise - but no rattling as yet. Don't do like I did and take it with a trade - use the lemon law, MAKE them fix it or trade. I hate that decision to this day. Ed

Does the rattle sound a little like a ratchet? If so than that is normal. The trans on these bad boys make ratchet type sounds when ever you put it in park or in gear or anything. It isn't very loud but the engines are really quiet in the low RPM band (with no radio on) so the noise becomes quite apparent.

well i guess the sound could be described as a "ratchet" noise... is it normal to hear this noise as its in the process of changing gears at speed?

No, at a speed where wind is rushing into the car, you definitely shouldn't be able to hear the trans sound I’m talking about. (which only pertains to ATX FoFo’s)

However, you would be able to hear it If you are in an alley where there is a walls on both sides of you (for the sound to bounce off and back at you) and you are traveling at any speed bellow 35mph with your foot completely off the gas so that you are just coasting, than you probably would hear the trans ratchet sound I'm describing.

But if the rattle is really that loud where you can hear it going 60 and with the windows up than there is DEF something wrong there. Don't know what to tell you except what everyone else already suggested.

Sorry I couldn’t be more help.

^^Most of the newer Chrysler's make the same noise. If you've been next to a mini van you know what it should sound like.


All I can say is being it's under warranty, bring it in. If they can not duplicate the noise see if you can with them in the car.
Other than that being the car is basically brand new you will probably have to do some leg work and track it down yourself.

Seems to me that if so many of the 08's make the same niose in the same location then, chances are, that it's supposed to make said noise and it normal.