I'll try to describe this issue as clear as I can because it is very specific. When my engine gets hot, not just warm by leaving it on for several minutes, I mean after driving it for at least 20 minutes, after I stop and leave my car in idle, I hear a very annoying rattling sound that comes from the drivers side. I notice the noise to come from where all the pedals are but it doesn't come from the cabin. I can also hear it very shap at the wheel area if I turn the steering wheel completely and also at the same side within the engine but again it doesn't come from something that it is on the surface top part. It must be something on the lower part of that side of the engine.

My cat converter was replaced last week so it's not that.

Pushing the clutch pedal, brakes, gas or anything else from within the cabin won't make the noise go.

My mechanic couldn't detect anything. He said it sounds like a misfire but I replaced my spark plug leads today, cleaned my MAF sensor and still it's there.

I know that a diagnosis is not possible but I'm just asking for possible things to check as I don't know what else to check.

My car is JDM (RHD)

Thanks.

 

Check the exhaust heat shield

 

Maybe you mean the cat converter shield? because I had my cat converter replaced with aftermarket and that one is much smaller without any shield to cause noise. Indeed that's the reason I replaced it, because I thought that was what was causing the noise. I don't know where else I have a heat shield. Sorry for this.

 

There was a tsb for fuel tanks melting or something like that and they installed a heat shield above the long pipe to the muffler.

Mine came loose and would only rattle at low speeds with the ac on. I would mainly hear it when sitting in a drive thru. It is a sheet about 4 inches wide and probably 4 feet long.

 

Your best bet is to drive your car around, get it hot,and go home and raise it via jack or ramps. Get underneath and listen for the noise. There's really a lot of variables at play if it's not a heat shield. Maybe check your motor mounts and make sure your car is running smoothly.

 

Check for exhaust leaks