Sorry if this is a vauge description of my problem, but here i go. I have a 97 taurus that still runs great but I've been noticing a rattling noice coming from the engine area. It almost sounds like my car is a diesel and it's gradually been getting louder. It seems to be really loud when I idle. The car runs great and I have no problems with acceleration and it runs very smoothly. But it's that dang rattling/diesel sound that's driving me crazy. Has anyone ever experienced this or heard about a problem like this?

thx,

 

I'd hit a garage bofore it gets any worse. Could be converter cover if you're lucky - but it would sound more like a thin tin pan rattling. You could have a bad lifter, or cracked exhaust manifold. A manifold would be almost a little more of a ticking sound, and lifter would make it run a little rougher usually. Have you checked the oil lately?