For the last few years I have been driven crazy by a noise that primarily occurred at 1,700-1,800 RPM, sometimes when bad enough I would hear it at other points as well.

It sure sounded like either engine pinging or some sort of "rattle" maybe associated with the injection system. I tried fuel additives (slight improvement) tightened all injector lines as some recommended, no cigar. Sometimes it would even go away for a tankfull causing me rethink a fuel issue....

The biggest clue for me should have been that there was no real performance hit when the noise was present which sort of let the issue slide with me.

Well last week when I had the hood the open I banged into the grill and what do you know I heard this rattle, naw it couldn't be.. sure enough the two rods that go down the back of the grill that operate the hood latch were loose causing them to rattle again their guides. Quick as a bunny I wrapped some rubber bands loosely around them to quiet them up and went for a spin, what do you know silence at last.

I'm guessing those rods were acting like tuning forks making them susceptible to slight engine vibrations.

When I get back home from vacation I'll make a more permanent fix. Oh, don't make them too tight or the hood latch won't work, ask me how I know.

Ron W.

 

There's a big lesson in this...don't overlook the simple stuff first. Been guilty of that myself many times