Engine rattling sound, please help!!

[bob97]

I have a 97 7.3 PS, automatic with 14800kms. It's all of a sudden developed an interior engine rattle at an idle, or better when not under load. It sounds like it is at the front of the engine and sounds like you have got a couple of rocks in a coffee can shaking them around. If you put the truck in gear, the rattling stops. If you are accelerating you won't hear the noise until you have reached speed and the engine is no longer under load. My mechanic is the best PS mechanic around here, and he has never heard this noise before.

I have read a couple of posts in which people have mentioned torque converters or injectors as possible causes. Can anyone verify these as causes? Does anyone have any advice or experiences they could offer before we start tearing it down?
Thanks for your help, I really appreciate it.

[drstephennix]

Wish I could help

[Dirk]

I had a 7.3 that sounded kinda like that. I cracked the flex plate in 4 places.

[TurboSevenThree]

I highly doubt this is the cause, but... on my gasser car w/ 92000 miles, I heard a rattling only in gear with the brake on, it really sounded like it was up front like a U-joint in the front wheel drive ... guess what it turned out it was a broken exhaust hanger down the middle of the car.

If you want to check that go for it, but first, cause it's easiest, I would check all your pulleys for play, and if you're careful you can take a long screwdriver and put the metal end on something like behind the pulley and then cup your hand around the top of the handle and put your ear to it. Soundwaves travel better through solids so you can hear surprisingly clearly what's going on inside. Then you can target the noise if it's bearings up there.

Other than that I haven't a clue

[TurboSevenThree]

Originally Posted by dirk0

I had a 7.3 that sounded kinda like that. I cracked the flex plate in 4 places.

Jeez how did you do that?

[Dirk]

Originally Posted by TurboSevenThree

Jeez how did you do that?

Being stupid.

[bob97]

Thanks for the ideas. I have been gone all day but I will sure check out all your suggestions. Keep em coming!!

[dieseldan2005]

I know the 7.3's have a cackle to them. Mine will "knock" or cackle at idle. Its the injectors making the noise i believe. Check this link. There is a vid of this cackle noise. Maybet his can help you. If it is cackling, i think you can install a high pressure cross over line that will help take care of it. Don't quote me on that.

Cackle?

[dieseldan2005]

Sorry, I guess the vid was deleted, but you can read some of the other posts on this. It is coming from the #8 injector. Maybe this isn't what yours is doing, but its something to look at.

[rankroddin250]

have you checked the harmonic balancer, water pump, alternator, power steering pump, tensioner, etc?