Clanking sound on slow acceleration

[borealtransition]

Lately my Delica has been making a clanking sound after accelerating at a slow speed (like going up a hill or when parking). It only makes this sound after I release the gas pedal and I can only hear it when my window is open so it is coming from somewhere underneath. Does anyone know what this could be?

[borealtransition]

I guess it is more of a rattling sound like there is a loose nut or something rolling around. My friend knows a bit about vehicles and seems to think it is nothing serious. It's just a bit frustrating as nobody can seem to pinpoint the problem. Butch at CVI thought it was loose tie-rod ends so Edwin tightened them for me, but the sound was still there the next day. I had to return to Saskatchewan where there are no Delica specialists so hopefully the service department at the local Mitsubishi dealership can help.

[piyeguyo]

Hi

Make sure you do a good search in the website as this problem sounds familiar. If I were you, I'd try to get this issue looked at /fixed (if necessary) while you're in BC.

Going to the Mitsu dealer for service can be quite expensive, plus generally they don't have the experience working on Diesel or Delicas.

Good luck.

Fabio,
Calgary

[jessef]

Sounds like rattling exhaust by your description.

When it's cool to the touch, grab it at different areas and give it a shake.

[mararmeisto]

You're better off going to an experienced mechanic/transmission specialist or a JDM shop/dealer in the Lower Mainland rather than the Mitsubishi dealership/shop (I say this because it sounds like you're still in the area). It seems Mitsubishi Canada is not allowed to 'support' these vehicles because they were never sold in this market, so most dealers are reluctant to even look you in the eye when you drive onto their lot. They can't even 'see' the vehicle or its parts on their company parts computer (I've had some dealings with the shop here in Victoria - I've have to come at it from a different angle).

Does the sound change with engine revs or with speed? If with engine revs, I would suspect something in the transmission; if with speed, something other than the drivetrain. Does it rattle only during acceleration or when going over bumps? And did the mechanic you saw ask you questions like these? Sometimes if you're not asked the right questions, the problem takes much longer to determine.

Also have to agree with jfarsang - the exhaust in Moon Machine 'clanked' like a bastard until one of the hangers was adjusted, and the clanking only happened during acceleration from a stop (not when at speed). Check to see if the tail pipe can touch the side panel behind the rear wheel (that's where mine did).

[Schwa]

Mine makes a clanking / rattling sound when accelerating slowly as well, and it's definitely my muffler because I removed it and shook it and it rattles, which sucks because it's only a year old (although I think it always rattled, I just didn't think it could be the muffler) and stainless steel, so it was supposed to last a really long time. I ran the van with no muffler and had no rattling at all.

[borealtransition]

Hey thanks for all of the advice. I am back in Saskatchewan now so I will have to deal with it here. I first noticed it after I went to Easy Wash in North Vancouver so something may have been loosened by the undercarriage sprayers. I had a Delica Tune at CVI in Richmond so they checked it out for me. They thought it was loose tie rod ends and tightened them for me, but the rattling persisted and I had to return to Saskatchewan. I will follow up on all of your tips though. It could very well be the muffler. It only makes a rattling sound when after I take my foot off the gas when accelerating at slow speeds. It doesn't happen when I brake or am accelerating quickly.
Thanks again.

[snelson]

If it's a clank when letting off the gas, this sounds more like a possible U-joint issue in the driveshaft? Next time you're underneith, grab onto the main driveshaft and see if you can turn it side to side and replicate the clunk and/or feel sloppyness in the U-joints.

The weird thing is I was following this link just before lunch. On the way back from lunch when going around a long corner fast, I heard a little pop, then rattle rattle rattle in the turn like a nut/bolt tumbling across the floor, and now a clunck in the back on my Deli too!!! What are the odds. Mines just sorta sporatic over bumps now - I think I probably popped a bushing somewhere, but I now have my evening planned out for me.

[JMK]

Mine just started doing the same on the driver's side while we were on Vancouver Island last week. Disconcerting for the whole trip as I was worried maybe something serious was afoot. On further inspection with the help of our Calgary mechanic friend, it appears to be the proximal end of the leaf springs where the end of the upper leaf binds on the inner edge of the frame bracket because it has shifted and hasn't enough clearance to move when it is torsionally loaded. As it happened when I had the pod loaded at first I thought is was a propane camping cannister rolling around in the pod, much like snelson describes as the sound.

The solution appears to be remove the bolt, then slightly bend the bracket outward, and then shim the space between the spring and the bracket with a washer.

At least that's what I plan to try. If you get to it first and it is indeed the solution, let me know.