Rattle right after starting, different rattle when accelerating (sometimesl

JAANZ99

MEMBER
2003 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY
3.8L
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
180,000 MILES

It started rattling under the hood when it would accelerate at a medium rate (slow acceleration didn't rattle, and fast acceleration didn't rattle). It will also rattle when the cruise control is set and the minivan is going downhill. If I cancel the cruise control in that situation, the rattling stops. It just started rattling about 5 times but louder and deeper sounding (maybe because it's not moving) when it starts (right after the vehicle starts). I just purchased it and the oil was low (the low oil light would come on occasionally), so I changed the oil and put Castrol synthetic blend in. I have also used fuel additives in the gas tank, which cleared up a sensor problem that had been happening with the previous owner (P1684 & P0420). Thanks you for your help!

1 Reply

HMAC300

MECHANIC
48,601 POSTS

Check your fan belt drive for a bad tensioner and pulley then have the torque converter checked for loose torque converter bolts. IT may be something else but start there. Recommended replacement for belt and tensioner is 60,000. Noises are hard to give a correct answer here. But from your description it seems to be engine noise as it picks up and slows with engine. Also check to see if converter rivets have broken and shield over converter is flapping in wind or shields around the engine are loose.