Mechanic in Blacksburg VA Area?

[sawmkw1]

My son has my 1996 Tahoe at Virginia Tech and it has begun making an intermittent racket. He just drove down over the weekend and this racket started after he got there. I'm 7 hours away and looking to find someone in the area that could take a look and potentially diagnose. This racket sounds like a loose sheet of metal, a flywheel bolt, or a catastrophic engine failure except that it is intermittent and louder when idling. So possibly the inside of one of the catalytic converters has come apart and is rattling? Any recommendation of someone is appreciated. Nasty sounding file attached.

 

[OR VietVet]

Any CEL? Does sound like catalyst rattling inside the converter. Does not sound like heat shield. Could be the flywheel but you said it happens at idle and a flywheel can be louder when accel. Take the belt off and see what happens but without being there, I am just guessing at catalyst rattling around.

 

[OR VietVet]

It would be best to know if that noise came from around the engine or under vehicle near the cats?

 

[sawmkw1]

From what my son says, it sounds like the area under the passenger set, or where the passenger side cat is. I've asked him to do the screwdriver stethoscope test.
Thanks for the replies.

 

[OR VietVet]

Shut engine off and use a fist or rubber mallet and bang on the catalytic converter(s) body and listen for the rattles inside.

 

[Eman85]

FWIW I used to belong to a group and site when I had my shop, iatn, they have a site and list associates around the world you might be able to find a nearby shop through them.

International Automotive Technicians Network

iATN is the world's first and largest online community of automotive professionals, where automotive technicians and other auto industry pros perform real-world vehicle diagnosis, and discuss theory, shop management, and other industry issues among their peers.

www.iatn.net