rattle from engine compartment at startup...

[LI 350]

When car's (97 SL2) just been started, and for the first 5 minuets or so of driving, whenever its slightly jostled (by rough shifting or a narrow speed bump etc.) a tinny ratteling sound comes from the front end, close to the SE corner under the hood (while seated in car). Sounds alot like when the antenna is loose in its base, or the rod that holds up the hood is loose in its holder, (but its not those things after checking them out).

[Abe95SC2]

It could be the upper engine mount. Take good close look and see if there is some of the rubber surrounding the internal section missing or if there are any major cracks in the rubber in the mount.

[saturn_guy]

it could be your motor mount as stated above. a couple of other things you could check out. while the car is running have someone try to move the hood up and down. if the noise starts or stops then adjust the rubber stoppers at the front right and left of car. if that doesnt work have them wiggle (one at a time) the head lights.if the noise starts or stops them take it to your dealer and they can be adjusted quickly and for a small price.

[Saturnmeister]

You can check those hood stoppers without the engine running. Just push gently on the center of the hood with the hood closed. If it moves ("clunk"), the stoppers have worked their way down too low. Raise them (with an "unscrewing" motion) until the hood is snug and doesn't move when it's closed, but not so far that the hood is raised above the fenders. Good luck (assuming that is the problem)!

Although it seems a little early for this to happen to your 97 SL2, it could be your catalytic converter. The noises you describe sound suspiciously like what I'm experiencing with mine. For me, it's the converter. It's about $180 to replace, so check it out thouroughly before blindly replacing that item. Check the areas mentioned by Abe, Saturn_Guy & Saturnmiester first.

Jon

[LilRedWag]

'98SW2, 11.5k miles. I'm following this thread.
I've got that same "noise"(underhood, passenger side), but only when:
after starting the first time in the day(am) and putting in reverse or drive(no rattle in P or N). Then, it disappears after the engine warms up(driving a block or two).

Jon, what's the deal with the catalytic?

Thanks, guys.

[LI 350]

ya hit it on the nose lilred! Well, I checked the hood stoppers, motor mount, & headlights, but its none of them (thanx anyway for the help guys). If it is the catalytic converter, o well, just spent $230 replacing the tires, & college living is sapping away my funds, so its going to just have to rattle away

LI 350:

If you want to check to see if it's the cat-conv, get a rubber malet, find the converter under the car (just behind the tranny along the exaust pipe) and strike it a couple of times. If it sounds like a bunch of rocks are in there, it's probably your converter. If you don't have a rubber malet, you could probably use your hand, but the converter gets up to temperatures like 1000 degrees or something, so I'd wait a few hours for it to cool off first.

Just a little side note, Saturn charges $702 for the new converter (including $50 labor). Ouch! Discount muffler shops can get them for around $180, labor included. Go figure. I've heard from this message board that Midas converters are not up to par though.

Jon

By the way, if it is the converter, it will only get worse and eventually cause a "no power" situation with your car. It would be wise for you to at least check the converter and if it is that, consider having it replaced.

Good luck!

Jon