No power and has loud clanking noise from under the hood

MXMOM22

MEMBER
2003 FORD EXPLORER
V8
4WD
AUTOMATIC
280,000 MILES

I notice my SUV had a loud clanking noise when I put it in reverse so I got out to hear it while in park, that's when I heard the noise. After driving it a few miles, it lost power so I coasted it into a parking lot and turned it off and after a minute or so, tried starting it up and it started with no problem but would only drive with very low power. I was able to get it home less than a mile away. That was on Monday. Tuesday I went out to start it many times with no problem and it would go into reverse and go forward to my parking space. Always have the loud clanking noise and spent more time listening to it and the noise is coming from under the hood on the right side. I tried driving it one mile and it won't go over 15 mph. Please help! This was bought in February this year and came with a check engine light on. The oil has been changed, the air filter too. The A/C wasn't working and it was fixed. What could this be?

Wednesday, July 3rd, 2019 AT 4:53 PM

4 Replies

MXMOM22

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Correction, it sounded like it was under the drivers side instead of the right side.

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Wednesday, July 3rd, 2019 AT 5:14 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
110,114 POSTS

Welcome to 2CarPros.

Any time a clanking noise is heard and a loss of power is experienced, the first thing I suspect is that the insides of the catalytic converter have come loose and are blocking the exhaust.

Take a look through these links:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/bad-catalytic-converter-symptoms

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-a-catalytic-converter

Do me a favor, take a rubber mallet and tap on the exhaust to see if you can recreate the sound.

Let me know the results. Also, if you could record the sounds and upload them for me to hear, it would be helpful.

Take care,

Joe

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Wednesday, July 3rd, 2019 AT 5:53 PM

MXMOM22

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Yes, it does make a very similar sound. I don't have a rubber mallet so I used a hammer to hit it lightly. Thank you for your help Joe.

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Thursday, July 4th, 2019 AT 11:51 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
110,114 POSTS

Welcome back:

You are very welcome. I had a feeling that was related. The insides come loose and then move around. One minute it can run fine and the next, things move and it will lose power.

Here is a link that explains how in general to replace one:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/catalytic-converter-replacement

If you look at the picture I attached, you will see three things I highlighted. Those are the converters. They are part of what is called a Y pipe and both bolt to the exhaust manifold. Let me know if you have questions or just need help.

Take care,
Joe

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