rattle noise

[BMAN_986]

I have exactly the same problem you described (the wall, the RPM, etc) in your original posting. It only happened after some hard driving or warmed up car. Took it to my local dealership and they identified the problem as the one of the catalytic convertors (RHS). You do want to get it replaced before the check engine light comes on but have your emissions tested now to see if the cat is still working fine. This may buy you a bit of time. The dealer tested mine and said everything is ok but i should do it sooner rather than later.

[sparker]

If it was the heat sheild pictured above that was loose, where are the bolts to tighten this? Would like to check.

Regards,
Sam

[BMAN_986]

so going back to tuanle16's original problem (which from his description sounded identical to the problem on my car) ...

I just finished swapping out the RHS Cat. After along 20 mile/40 minute drive on highway and urban roads everything is good and the noise is completely gone. Looks like it was the Cat after all. It was my first major mechanical DIY job on the car. Took about 2.5hrs from lifting the car to dropping it (and I'm no mechanic). Dealer wanted to charge me 2.1k ... I did it for 400 bucks with used OEM parts. First time I've really heard that engine go through it paces without the horrible rattle.

tuanle16, take it to a reputable dealer. let them confirm it's the Cat then find a mechanic who will fit one for you (or DIY it) and source the Cat yourself. I got mine from http://dcauto.gotdns.com/

Good luck!

[tuanle16]

awesome. congrats. hoping i will be able to solve the same problem. it's now at a local mechanic too. they are going to try to open the cat and weld it back together to save some money instead of buying new one. but sounds as if you were able to buy one for cheap. saw one on ebay, but was concerned it might have same issue. hope i can get rid of it and it doesn't cost me an arm and leg. crossing my fingers. but thanks and congrats to you.

[edevlin]

The original exhaust on my base boxster had a chrome tip on it. Previous owner must have gone over a steep driveway because the back end of it was bent close enough to the muffler that it would make a buzzing, rattleing noise. Bent it back and it was fine. I was also poking all over the place before I found it.

Ed

[tuanle16]

byman,

so, was it any easy swap? i know you were hesitant at first. but was it easier than you thought? or retrospectively, did you think you should have just taken it to a mechanic? did you do it at home with just jacks, or do you have a lift? and also, didn't the dealer charge you time for just looking at it?

-tuan

[sparker]

I think I have found my rattle, seems to be from the heat sheild above the right muffler (passenger side for you americans!)

I could kind of see a couple of little studs that appear to hold it on - are these what is supporting the heat sheild? Can anyone point out the bolt locations?

Sam