93 honda civic, Rattling sound

I have a 1993 Honda Civic. A couple of days back, it started making a
rattling sound when the car is at low speeds, like at a stop light. It
seems to be coming from the rear of the car.

Also, I am expeiencing louder than normal noise from the car,like the
loud noise that usually old cars make while going uphill (when you are
pressing hard on the gas).

I am guessing it might be the muffler. Any ideas ????

 

Might be a heatshield. Look under the car (about between the front seats)
and you'll find a metal shield over that part of the muffler. It is in two
pieces, top and bottom. Feel if either is loose. Often you can retighten the
thing with some large hose clamps.

Remco

 

Heat shield on exhaust. They rust and come loose. You have to get under the
car to see them. Also, there are two shields surrounding the exhaust
manifold (in the engine compartment). They can come loose from corrosion as
well.

A similar noise can be caused by worn door hinges.

You might also be getting a hole in your exhaust. Time for a trip to your
favorite muffler store.

 

Muffler, or with that vintage, could also be the "Pipe B" between the
catalytic converter and the muffler. Mine was pretty weak (94 Civic),
and I replaced it with OEM which was MUCH more solid than the
aftermarket stuff I've seen. And, the OEM muffler was easily twice the
size of the wimpy muffler that had been on it (before it broke off). Car
is nice and quiet now. And now that I've replaced the plugs, wires,
distributor cap and rotor, all with OEM, it starts instantly and sounds
a heck of a lot smoother. Haven't had a chance to drive it yet, but
having seen the way-wide gap in the plugs and the corrosion on the
distributor terminals and rotor arm, I'm guessing my power will be back...

Gotta get myself a tachometer and timing light to check idle speed and
timing, next. Too bad Sears is so lame--their Craftsman "engine
analyzer" is a bit hard to get. I gotta say, I haven't seen such shitty
availability and shipping from anyone. Downright incompetence appears to
reign in their online shopping services.

Abe