death rattle? from 3.8L V6

On Mon, 17 Nov 2008 11:58:25 -0800, Whoever <nobody.TakeThisOut@devnull.none> wrote:

>> Ever been wrecked? Any chance the noise comes from around torque
>> converter/tranny??
>
>It's possible. All I can tell is that the noise is there on a fast idle.
>Typically, if I rev the engine up and then let it slow down again, it will
>make the noise rather badly as the revs drop (but not while revving).
>Mostly it is quiet (maybe a slight squeaking noise) when the revs drop
>down to 600-700 rpm.

Doesn't much sound like a death rattle to po' me. Of course it merits
investigation.

KInda sounds like it *could* be a mere "doo-dad".

>As far as I know, the car was never wrecked. I bought it 3 years ago, and
>it does not have a salvage title. I've had 3 years/30k miles of motoring
>out of it for less than $2k plus a few hundred dollars of maintenance out
>of it, so I haven't done too badly. Total mileage is 140k (prior engine
>failed less than 100 miles short of 100k).

I'm not a mechanic. Here's what I'd do:

Check/double-check all hoses, connections, little devices, etc.

Run the ECM diagnostics, see if that tells any tales, suggests anything.

If still no indications, start pulling plugs. Examine electrodes to evaluate
clean burning or problem conditions. Electrodes on my good-running
'94 Tbird 4.6 are light brown.

If that turns up nothing, I'd locate a good experienced Ford mechanic,
tell the full story, get an opinion and/or estimated cost for diagnostics
/evaluation.

Good Luck,
P

"Take Yo' Hand Out My Pocket (I Ain't Got Nothing What Belongs To You)!"
- Rice Miller, who probably never even _heard_ of GW Bush, Paulson, etc