Engine Rattles Under Load

[Malnik77]

I have a 2023 Base Sasquatch with 2.3L automatic with 55k miles

Recently I noticed intermittent engine rattle during acceleration and under load, like going up a small incline. It occurs about 10 minutes into the drive. Not when the engine is cold but when the engine oil is at around 187-189 degrees Fahrenheit.

The rattle sounds like there is a hole in the down pipe, almost like a Dodge Hellcat. The gas pedal will also have a slight vibration. The noise and the vibration disappear after a few minutes. It happens at almost every drive.

The dealership mechanic had the car for a few days and said it drives normal. He did not say if they replicated the problem or not. Research from online and this forum suggest it could be loose turbo wastegate, spark knocks or normal 2.3L behavior. Strangely, most of the people experiencing rattle are at cold start. Mine comes on after 10 minutes of start.

Anyone else have this issue or know of a fix?

One thing to add is that I had a leak in the timing cover a few months ago and the dealership replaced the seal. Anything they did there could have caused issues?

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[ducksface]

How quickly does the controller adapt to octane/bad gas?

Has it done this across multiple tanks of fuel?

 

[Malnik77]

I filled up the gas tank a few times since i first notice the rattle. If there was bad gas it would have been used by now. No change in gas. I've been using 87 octane since the beginning.

 

[CalvinT]

I filled up the gas tank a few times since i first notice the rattle. If there was bad gas it would have been used by now. No change in gas. I've been using 87 octane since the beginning.

One tank full of premium would give you a quick double check. My first guess was pre-ignition.

Here's a question, does the 2.3L have a preignition sensor? I suspect it does since power output changes depending on fuel. Could it be bad? But if it was, you'd think you'd get a code.

 

[Desmolicious]

One tank full of premium would give you a quick double check. My first guess was pre-ignition.

Here's a question, does the 2.3L have a preignition sensor? I suspect it does since power output changes depending on fuel. Could it be bad? But if it was, you'd think you'd get a code.

Run a bottle of injector cleaner through it - Chevron Techron or whatever - and try a few tanks of premium gas. From a top tier gas station.
Pre-ignition/knocking is the easiest thing to check first before digging into more costly causes and solutions.

 

[Fordified1]

I filled up the gas tank a few times since i first notice the rattle. If there was bad gas it would have been used by now. No change in gas. I've been using 87 octane since the beginning.

Use 91 or 93 and it will run better and get better fuel mileage and NOT rattle (if lack of octane is indeed the issue). Running 87 in a turbo charged vehicle leaves so much on the table. But alas it may already be carboned up from the cheap fuel.

 

[CalvinT]

The noise and the vibration disappear after a few minutes. It happens at almost every drive.

This makes it odd and rules out fuel being the problem. Exhaust gas leaks can sometimes make the sound you describe.

 

[Red2000]

I have a 2023 Base Sasquatch with 2.3L automatic with 55k miles

Recently I noticed intermittent engine rattle during acceleration and under load, like going up a small incline. It occurs about 10 minutes into the drive. Not when the engine is cold but when the engine oil is at around 187-189 degrees Fahrenheit.

The rattle sounds like there is a hole in the down pipe, almost like a Dodge Hellcat. The gas pedal will also have a slight vibration. The noise and the vibration disappear after a few minutes. It happens at almost every drive.

The dealership mechanic had the car for a few days and said it drives normal. He did not say if they replicated the problem or not. Research from online and this forum suggest it could be loose turbo wastegate, spark knocks or normal 2.3L behavior. Strangely, most of the people experiencing rattle are at cold start. Mine comes on after 10 minutes of start.

Anyone else have this issue or know of a fix?

One thing to add is that I had a leak in the timing cover a few months ago and the dealership replaced the seal. Anything they did there could have caused issues?

"almost like a Dodge Hellcat" A lot of people are looking for that v8 sound in their bronco nowadays

I don't have much constructive to say. Maybe try recreating the issue with another person driving or in the passenger seat.

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