odd noise

[87accordlx]

hi guys, this morning when i was warming up my car it was in neutral (5 speed) and the car was making a noise like there was a hole in the exhaust, i thought i knocked the exhaust pipe loose driving over some high snow drifts to get home the night before, but the noise went away when i pushed in the clutch and came back when i let it out, after the car warmed up the sound went away in neutral but you could still hear it when u shifted for a brief second, anyone have any idea's what this is? it sounded like a grumble/grind

thanks in advance
Scott

[Mike's89AccordLX]

Do you have the pacesetter headers? If so it's normal.

[87accordlx]

no the engine is bone stock

[Mike's89AccordLX]

Oh I bet your heat shield on your catalytic convertor is rusted or broken. I had this problem before and I fixed it with ripping it off and getting a straight pipe. I'm sure this is your problem.

[MrBen]

My mom had a similar problem on her 88 accord, she went to Midas, turned out the pipe had rusted through.

[87accordlx]

thanks guys, but why would the noise go away when the car is in gear or the clutch is in? if it was an exhaust problem wouldn't it be constant?

[Mike's89AccordLX]

Well when my heat shield was broken It only rattled when I was in reverse for some reason. It really sounds like it's just your heat shield. Well you have a carb and I know before I got my weber the engine would shake a little bit and exhaust pipe shakes a little bit when the engine shakes and that could be why. I think its your heat shield for sure.

[87accordlx]

thanks mike i'll get that checked out

[Mike's89AccordLX]

No problem.