Rattle Noise From Exhaust System Under Slight Load

[steelerfan4life]

Does anyone have the specifics of this TSB??
Narrowed rattle down to where the cat pipe attaches to the exhaust manifold. Randomly rattles under slight load.


Make: SATURN
Model: VUE
Year: 2004

Service Bulletin Number: 040605004
NHTSA Item Number: 10006599
Summary Description:
RATTLE/BUZZ NOISE FROM EXHAUST SYSTEM UNDER SLIGHT LOAD. *TT

[pdough]

Don't have specifics but also notice some exhaust rattling under light load at around 2500 RPM especially during a 2nd to 3rd shift with a manual trans. Never noticed it before but this winter has been more noticeable. Not a big deal for me but am curious if you are experiencing the same thing.

[1saxman]

Heat shields on catalytic converters are famous for rattling.

[steelerfan4life]

Had it taken in under warranty and of course they couldn't duplicate the problem. I have a 2004 Saturn Vue w/ VTI automatic trans w/ 60K.

it does it most while idling in the drive-thru under slight load. I'm not pressed to get this fixed it's just an annoyance i'm trying to rid.

went under and tried to bend the heat shield back away from the pipe
thinking that's what was making the noise and it still does it.

This TSB sounded more like what i have but didn't know what was involved.

[ssicarman]

The TSB references the 3.5 LT not the 2.2 that you would have with the VTI.

[steelerfan4life]

well i found the problem after looking in more detail this time. it was a bolt rubbing on the heat shield. The hole apparently expanded over time causing
the heat shield to become loose and rattle against the bolt.

I've attached a detail of where I'm talking about in case someone else has the same problem.

Thanks for everyone's suggestions.

[steelerfan4life]

here's the detail.

[pdough]

Thanks for the info. I'll take a look at mine. Did you just tighten the bolt or did you have to use a washer over the enlarged whole?

[steelerfan4life]

I just put a washer on it and tightened it back down worked like a charm.
Noise is gone for now anyways.

[1saxman]

Way to go! That's the way to dig in there,find it and fix it.

[steelerfan4life]

Sometimes you just have to stick your beak in there and use the brain you were given. :banana:

[ryanB3]

Sometimes you just have to stick your beak in there and use the brain you were given. :banana:

I agree. We've fixed this problem on a Ford Ranger we have... just put it in neutral or park if it's an auto, set the parking break... Triple check that it's not going anywhere, and have someone toy with the gas and hold it at the RPM where it rattles and go under with some wire (the stuff that you use to attach cyclone fencing material to the metal posts works great) and wrap around the rattling component and a fixed object.

[twosaturns]

I didn't know there was a TSB on this; soon after we got our '04 new, I had a BAD noise from underneath (right after driving over snow), it was like a bad throwout bearing, lots of chattering when starting off. went to the dealer, a tech came out, I gave him a short drive (like 40 feet) he went underneath and bent the heatshield, noise gone. noise never came back either.