Really strange and loud metal rattle

So this morning I started my car and it began to rattle in the cabin and outside. It sounds like thin metal clanking vigorously against something. It goes away as soon as I start to drive but at idle its awful. Anyone know what it could be? It sounds horrible. My guess is maybe a heat shield or something but I'm very unsure. Its an alh btw.

Why are you asking us when you can go out and check everything?

narongc73 said:

Why are you asking us when you can go out and check everything?

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I'm in the process, thought I would ask in case its a common issue

If you're sitting still and rev the engine does that change anything?

"Clanking" is a word more generally used to describe heavy metal contact. Heat shields are light metal (aluminum), and tend to make more of a tinny sound.

UhOh said:

If you're sitting still and rev the engine does that change anything?

"Clanking" is a word more generally used to describe heavy metal contact. Heat shields are light metal (aluminum), and tend to make more of a tinny sound.

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yeah its more of a tinny sound, sorry, im not an expert on my noise descriptions yet

Could be an old rat trying to get away from your car. Lol

The distinction could be worth a LOT of money

Likely that you've had a couple of "speed nuts" fail. These are used to hold the heat shields up. They rust out: unfortunately, so do the studs that they attach to Generally, I'd look to check out all along the exhaust system.