Engine rattle at idle and low speeds

[Alan]

The engine in my 98 Corolla is rattling loudly at low speeds and at idle.  It seems to have gotten worse over the past few days and what is strange is that it doesn't do it when I am uphill.  Here is a link to the sound...  anyone know what this may be?

Here is the link to the .amr file on Google Documents... wasn't sure what other site I could put it on to play automatically...
https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B7G56nU8pAA9OTgyYmM3NzEtYzBiNC00NTM5LTlmNjAtZTkxMDdmZDgzNGY0&hl=en&authkey=CPG5s2o

[Secret Chimp]

Probably a loose heat shield or bad springs in the exhaust (some Japanese cars have studs with springs in between the flange and the nut that rust and cause a rattle)

[Alan]

Where would the heat shield be?  Under the hood or under the car?  With the hood open, it sounds like the noise is coming from inside the engine.

[Rupert]

There are usually heat shields around the exhaust area under the hood. I'd look there first, but they are kind of hard to miss once you're looking for them.

[Secret Chimp]

There's one right on top of the exhaust manifold, by guess that'd be most prone to not rattle on an incline (since it's the most upright of any heat shields in a FWD car). Most of the rest are usually in the center tunnel or near the firewall.

[Alan]

The rattles was for weeks and it suddenly stopped last night and has not reappeared.  I think the heat shield fell off somewhere...

[The Pirate]

The rattles was for weeks and it suddenly stopped last night and has not reappeared.  I think the heat shield fell off somewhere...

Problem solved!  That's how I fix heat shields too.  Have one in the trunk right now.

[Rupert]

Yup, perfect. The best kind of car problem.

[Alan]

Good thing I hit that pothole cause that rattle was really getting on my nerves 

[the Teuton]

Haha. Heat shield removal isn't harmful to a car's operation at all, fortunately.

[Alan]

The rattle return today after one week of silence... it isn't rattling 100% of the time though.

[Secret Chimp]

The rattle return today after one week of silence... it isn't rattling 100% of the time though.

Evidently they were able to repair the shields, but they are not at full power. The Romulans will make quick work of this.

[Rupert]

LOL!

[Alan]

I had it looked at and the noise is coming from the power steering pump.  I do not think the pump is dead because the noise actually goes away when I turn the wheel, not get louder like I have been reading on the internet.

I had the high pressure hose replaced a few months ago, and I also read that there could be air in the pump.  It was suggested to turn the wheel from side to side to get the air out of the pump... I did and the noise went away for about 5 days, but now it is back.  Any suggestions?

[S204STi]

Is the fluid level correct?  If so you should only have to bleed the system once. 

[Alan]

Fluid level was perfect.. no leaks.  I got in the car last night and could barely turn the wheel... my entire pump has died.  It is being fixed today.

[S204STi]

I guess the shaft inside the pump broke and finally the thing gave up the ghost.