Rattling/Fluttering Noise 2900 - 3100 Rpm

[jakeru]

It can be hard to diagnose rattling sounds which only occur under specific conditions! Honestly, it's hard to picture the sound based on your description. But, I would throw out there, a rattling power steering pump!
Rattly power steering pump.

I've had what I believe to be this rattle on my 2001 2.7 for a while, and it has a "fluttering" characteristic to it. It's been really hard to capture the sound on a recording, by the way, because it's most pronounced under certain load range, certain rpm areas (and I've noticed it will "come and go" about 3-4 times while accelerating from 2000-3000 rpm, so definitely some harmonic action), and also is most audible only when driving the car next to a sound reflecting wall (e.g., concrete median or wall) on the passenger side. Oh and by the way, best way to describe it is sounding like a metallic rattling noise. So, if your sounds seems to match any or all of those characteristics, check out if your power steering pump has any rotational slop or play in it. I'm pretty excited to have finally figured it out in my car - went through a lot of tests to finally get at it. Best of luck!

[tommy583]

I have found this car to be able to make so many weird noises from the strangest things. Worn motor mount makes strange noises around 3,000 rpm. Loose spark plugs have been known to make chirping like sounds under load. Exhaust leaks and or loose heat shields are definitely another source of many strange noises. It could even be something like a pulley, water pump, power steering pump or alternator. A sound clip would probably helpful for us to try and diagnose.