Just got my torque converter installed the other day and now it's making this weird vibration noise. Kinda sounds like metal is vibrating against other metal but its hard to tell. Car feels strong under throttle. Only makes the noise cruising at very low rpms... The installer told me that one of the exhaust pipes is really close down there so that is what is probably making the noise. Anyone got any ideas?

 

I doubt the converter is what is making the noise. Jack up the car, stick some jackstands underneath and check out your exhaust clearance. If the car does it at idle, powerbrake it and see if the sound goes away or gets louder. If the motor is torquing over and causing the exhaust to hit the trans, you'll have to adjust it. If the car has a shield over the converter, get rid of it. It'll help your converter to cool better.

 

I can just ditch the shield over the converter?? Isnt it there for a reason? It can get all dirty?? Thanks for the input, anyone else?

 

i'd keep the dust cover there, it's definitely there for a reason; to keep dust and rocks, water, mud, rubber, VHT, you name it out. There are too many exposed seals and your torque converter shouldnt be overheating so much that it requires removal. if you have transmission heat problems, fix it the right way, use a tranny cooler and an electric fan. also if that converter blows apart you'll see it catching fluid and metal shavings, also your rear main seal and your front transmission seal, and pump seal will thank you for leaving it on, in the form of extended life of each seal.

for the converter, if it's like a distinct rattle noise, it's probably the torque converter bolts backing off, simple to fix, pull the inspection cover (or 'shield') and check the bolts, if they're loose put some loc tite on em and torque em to spec. if it's a vibration, it could be that the transmission mount got KO'd when the converter was changed, so you can check that and if it is i recommend replacing with a urethane mount.

if it's a light rattle/vibration, the exhaust could be doing it, but i doubt it, it shouldnt have changed at all unless the guy who installed it screwed up and bent it up.

I'd check the converter bolts, the transmission mount, the exhaust, in that order, and next if all that checks out, get it to another transmission shop before it messes your tranny fluid pump up, because the converter is probably installed wrong, and off center