# Metallic Rattling Sound **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [August 28, 2011, 4:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/metallic-rattling-sound/67475 "2011-08-28T16:08:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MC001](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mc001/32/993_2.png) [@MC001](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MC001)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2011, 4:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/metallic-rattling-sound/67475/1 "2011-08-28T16:08:38Z")
Hello; I have a 2001 Saturn SL2 1.9 liter DOHC. I am getting a metallic rattling sound from under the car. The sound happens only at certain RPM idling speeds; what could this be? Please help. Thanks, Mel ---
**Author:** ![jdmere](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/jdmere/32/3002_2.png) [@jdmere](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jdmere)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2011, 5:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/metallic-rattling-sound/67475/2 "2011-08-28T17:19:14Z")
It could be the heat shield on the catalytic converter or something else connected to the exhaust system. More information would help. Does it happen when you’re stopped, moving, or both? Going straight? Turning? etc. ---
**Author:** ![MC001](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mc001/32/993_2.png) [@MC001](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MC001)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2011, 5:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/metallic-rattling-sound/67475/3 "2011-08-28T17:35:38Z")
Thanks; just at certain idle speeds when idling in drive when stopped; I think it is some kind of heat shield or exhaust system component there is some sort of cylindrical exhaust part under the car before the catalytic converter which sees to be the source of the rattling - what is that thing called? ---
**Author:** ![cigroller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@cigroller](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cigroller)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2011, 5:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/metallic-rattling-sound/67475/4 "2011-08-28T17:37:31Z")
Its probably just a heat shield - in which case, its called a heat shield. ---
**Author:** ![MC001](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mc001/32/993_2.png) [@MC001](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MC001)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2011, 5:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/metallic-rattling-sound/67475/5 "2011-08-28T17:45:06Z")
so the heat shield is something else and does not cover the catalytic converter? ---
**Author:** ![MC001](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mc001/32/993_2.png) [@MC001](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MC001)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2011, 6:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/metallic-rattling-sound/67475/6 "2011-08-28T18:19:16Z")
looks like a cylindrical part with lots of holes in it? is this a heat shield - looks like its on the exhaust pipe before the catalytic converter ---
**Author:** ![cigroller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@cigroller](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cigroller)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2011, 6:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/metallic-rattling-sound/67475/7 "2011-08-28T18:37:38Z")
Exhaust designs vary but the cat probably has a heat shield. So will many other parts of the exhaust. Cylindrical with holes is the way some will look. The holes allow air circulation to keep the shield from just being as hot as the pipe & providing a cooler shield between the pipe and whatever is near it. ---
**Author:** ![MC001](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mc001/32/993_2.png) [@MC001](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MC001)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2011, 6:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/metallic-rattling-sound/67475/8 "2011-08-28T18:43:28Z")
Thanks; it looks like its covering the shape of the pip and NOT the catalytic converter ---
**Author:** ![MC001](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mc001/32/993_2.png) [@MC001](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MC001)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2011, 6:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/metallic-rattling-sound/67475/9 "2011-08-28T18:44:09Z")
Thanks again for your help! ---
**Author:** ![MC001](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mc001/32/993_2.png) [@MC001](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MC001)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2011, 6:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/metallic-rattling-sound/67475/10 "2011-08-28T18:45:22Z")
p.s. i can live with a rattle LOL ---
**Author:** ![badbearing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/badbearing/32/10683_2.png) [@badbearing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/badbearing)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2011, 7:00pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/metallic-rattling-sound/67475/11 "2011-08-28T19:00:03Z")
Something is loose. Get in there and start wiggling stuff ---
**Author:** ![MC001](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mc001/32/993_2.png) [@MC001](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MC001)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2011, 7:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/metallic-rattling-sound/67475/12 "2011-08-28T19:28:11Z")
thanks