Hi,

I have a 2001 4.2l and I am experiencing a somewhat annoying and at times loud vibration/rattle noise from somewhere on the exhaust system.

There was a TSB on this, https://www.ford-trucks.com/tsb/full...php?tsb=03-20-7 .

Did anyone ever figure out what exactly I need to torque, ie. bolts ect?

Also, If I call the local ford dealership and reference this TSB, will they be able to pull it up and then we can go from there?

Thanks

 

is it a rattling or more of a clunking?

 

It is definately more of a vibration than a clunk.

 

As I understand it, the cat has come apart, mine is starting to do it as well. I don't notice a vibration, but you can definantley hear the rattle.It will drive you nuts, but the only remedy is to replace it. Let us know what you find out for certain.

 

i was definitley thinking the cat as well, but it wouldnt hurt to tighten everything up like in the TSB and see if that helps anything

 

Guys, you need to grab and hold the motor hoist brackets when you hear the rattling. I also thought it was my cats but turned out to be the motor hoist brackets. Yank those damn things and I bet your problem will be gone.

 

I'll give that a whirl, let yall know something.

 

I have had the same problem on both of my F150s. I found that the part # tag for the converter came loose and was the source of the noise. After you find out which cat is makin the noise, i split the heat sheild, and I found that the tac welds that hold on the part # tag have broken free. After I was able to yank out the tag the noise was gone. I also have several friends who have had the same problem. All were the part # tag had come loose. It does not take much time, and it does not cost as much as replacin a converter. Its worth a shot to check that first.

PaT

 

RTJohnson, I think you found my rattle, I went out and twanged the engine lift brackets and sure nuf, the driver mount just bounced off the manifold bolt like a tuning fork. Ford didn't bolt it down properly. I ditched it and will test drive tomorrow when cool. Passenger mount still there for now.

Thanks in advance.

 

RT you are a genius! That rattle has been driving me insane. I pulled the CAT heat shield, still made noise. I crawled around under my truck for weeks looking for anything. Tapping with mallet and so forth. Sounded like the rattle was coming from under the truck, but it was that bracket. It cracked and was vibrating like a tuning fork (as b2 tim would say). Thanks for the tip. You may have saved my sanity.