intermittent eng rattle

[rockhard]

theres this rattle that I can hear from my cars engine every once and a while. most of the time its ussually when its cold, although it has happened at a stop light when I could hear it too..
most of the time I can make it go away by reving it up in neutral if I dont rev it up in neutral and I start to drive the rattle increases in speed with the engine untill I reach about 25 mph
I have readjusted my timing on the distributor
when i replaced my timing belt I didnt do the idle bearings or anthing could that be it

im gonna listen to the engine and see if I can get a better idea of were this rattle is coming from
but any help is apprecieated thanks

[toyomoho]

Use a piece of rubber hose as a stethoscope to try and localize the area of the rattle.

[es250nut]

That rattle could be a warning sign that there isn't enough lubrication making it to the valve train, you could be low on oil, or your oil pump is weak.

[Doctor J]

Check the exhaust manifold shield and exhaust pipe brackets.
In most cases lack of oil pressure produces dull but heavy metallic knock.
My car produces exhaust system rattle on acceleration, which one of the "experts" confused with ping.

[rockhard]

""That rattle could be a warning sign that there isn't enough lubrication making it to the valve train, you could be low on oil, or your oil pump is weak.""

I was lookin over the engine and it seems to be coming from around the valve cover possibly.
when I start up the car sometimes i see the oil light come on for about 4 seconds then it turns off, but I have the oil topped up maybe it is a weak oil pump then

I know its not a ping, timing is perfect, but I am getting a new exhaust because my current one is letting exhaust fumes exit outside below the driver and passenger side doors