Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Zetec Maintenance I hear you can help me (rattling from under hood)

Fellow Contour Owners,
I heard you guys know Contours pretty well and could help me with my problem. My engine sounds great at any rpm, but that's only when the clutch is in. As soon as I take my foot off the clutch pedal and put the car in gear - any gear - there is an annoying, obnoxious rattling noise at rpms 1000-3700. What in the world is this? Oh yeah, it's not constant...it alters itself at different rpms and disappears when I go over bumps in the road. I've had the cat checked out and it's not that.

Thanks,
Joe

A rattle that is engine-speed related is probably the release(throw-out) bearing in the clutch. I have seen several Focus owners on www.club-focus.net complaining that their cars sound like a tractor at low revs because of noise from that bearing.

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'98.5 Mystique GS ATX/re-contented door lights/K&N Filter/Energy Suspension Sway Bar Bushings/Mintex Street Pads/high-beam bulbs in low-beams/Pioneer DEH-P3100 receiver/Pioneer TS-A6855's in all doors