Engine is rattling - Please help!

[engineblock]

I have a engine rattle in my Pontiac Grand Am 1994 edition. It has a 3.1 litre V6. Whenever I start the car there is a rattling noise and I opened the hood to see if it was the fan hitting the shroud but it isn't. The rattle is coming somewhere underneath the whole engine. I don't really know that much about cars but I do know that this rattle has gotten worse. Originally it used to come and go but now it seems whenever I turn on the car the rattle is there and it stays there everywhere I drive. Please help! Any information could be useful.

[Trooper2]

I would look at the exhaust system first all kinds of joints, heatsheilds, etc. that can rattle. Get under your car and tap on the exhaust system with a rubber mallet or the handle of a claw hammer (when cool of course), if it is the exhaust it should show up easily.

Welcome to PistonHeads.. I'm originally from Everett, WA but currently attending the Jaguar technicians school in Orlando, FL.

If you need more ideas let us know.

[leorest]

When it's all off and cold get underneath and shake the exhaust from side to side and bash the cat with your hand. It's a bit of a finger waving in the air guess but I bet the matrix in the catalist is broken and rattling. New cat time if this is the case.

[Matthew C]

Hydraulic tappets on their way out?

[renegade07]

is the sound coming from inside the engine? if so possible big end or small ends r gone.or get it on a ramp n get it checkd out!