[Carsonplmtff]

a couple days ago my escort started having really loud rattling noises at high rpms coming from the engine bay...give the car throttle and let off at high rpms and it rattles LOUD then stops at idle... my friend has a car lift so we lifted it to see what it was... i thought at first it was a belt tensioner but it wasn't.. then sat right under the tranny.. sounds like its coming from the tranny.. im thinking its a cracked flywheel... anyone?? i really need this fixed before september guys

 

[zzyzzx]

Check the heat shields!

How many miles are on the car?
How many on the transmission?
What year Escort and exactly what type?

What type of transmission?

 

[Carsonplmtff]

117k engine and tranny. 99 escort SE. automatic trans..


and checked heat shields already

 

[zzyzzx]

I would repeat the test and use a mechanics stethescope to see if you can narrow down the problem.

If you really think it's the transmission, I would first check the fluid level, as well as the transmission and motor mounts. I'm not sure if automatic transmissions have flywheels or flywheel problems like cars with manual transmissions do.

I'd be checking anything that's driven by a belt. I'm assuming that you don't have the original timing belt or water pump as well.

 

[BOSS302man]

Are you sure it's not your cat converter?

 

[Carsonplmtff]

well... the tranny itself is going out... im going to get a used tranny... then see what to do after tht

 

[zzyzzx]

I'm not so sure I agree with your diagnosis. Did you at least check the ATX fluid level? Did you change the filter? How abouththe TSB pump fix, if applicable (not sure on a 1997 model).

I've got about 182,000 miles on my ATX in my 1995LX.

 

[Carsonplmtff]

if anyone knows the where abouts of used transmissions. i would very much appreciate to know guys.. thanks

 

[FordMan59]

Should be able to find a used transmission in about any junk yard.

 

[pcordes1979]

+1 on it being the cat converter. I recently had something similar happen to my '93 LX. Started getting this rattling noise and a few weeks later it went away. But before it did I checked the heat shields no go. Then I looked under the car and saw that the cat converter had a nice hole in it so figured the rattling was from there. Found a "source" for a cat converter for $40 in good shape and apparantly low miles but with the 5+1 digit odo could have 80000, 180000, or 280000 miles on it :O. - Peter

 

[DangerRanger]

Super Rattle

I don't really know just what Escort automatic flywheels look like but I know most auto flywheels are heavy sheet metal with large holes and a ring gear around the outer edge. I have seen a lot of them from bigger cars where they crack between the holes and at least one where it was completely cracked all the way around but still driving the torque converter and creating one hell of a mystery rattle.
Of course, the only way to know for sure is by taking it all apart.

 

[Carsonplmtff]

well me and my father in law is taking my tranny apart tommorow after i get off work at 5 to take a gander at itt... i'll update you guys on it..

 

[BOSS302man]

Re: Super Rattle

I have seen a lot of them from bigger cars where they crack between the holes and at least one where it was completely cracked all the way around but still driving the torque converter and creating one hell of a mystery rattle.

I had this happen also, but it only rattles at idles and real low speeds. Usually goes away when you rev it up.

 

[zzyzzx]

I seriously think you are wasting your time on this. If the transmission works fine leave it alone exaept to change the fluid anf filter and maby do some TSB fixes.

At no point have you stated if it's shifting fine or slipping or anything.

 

[Carsonplmtff]

well considering that it slips and shifts hard.... im not wasting my time... i guess that was more info for all to ponder on

 

[zzyzzx]

Actually after reading this thread:

http://www.feoa.net/modules.php?name=Fo ... c&p=570637

There might be something to the cracked flywheel theory. Just never heard of it happening before. You might want to ask them if it made any noise.