1998 Camry Heat Shield or Cat Converter???

[juanrjr06]

Hi all, I know I'm probably looking for an answer to a question that is already out there but I just don't have enough time to keep searching. I have a 1998 4 cylinder with 160k on it. The other day as I was starting the car I heard a slight thump coming from somewhere in the back, near the muffler, soon after that, the car started making these high pitched metal to metal clanking noises from the front passenger side near the catalytic converter. I took it in and the guy heard the noise but without even touching the car he told me I need a new catalytic converter! The car is running fine except for the clanking noise, no odors, no noticeable fuel economy loss and no check engine light. My thought was that the sound seemed as if it was coming from a metal part hitting another, this happens at low speed and idle when I turn on the air conditioner, but when I turn it off, the sound goes away. It doesn't make the noise while driving at regular (20+ mph) speed but it does at standstill and low speeds. I've been revving the engine at lights just to stop the noise! It really sounds like something is loose. Was this guy right about the cat converter? Could it just be the heat shield that came loose? Thanks for ANY advice before I have to spend more than needs to be spent on it!

[hawkeye]

Does not sound like a Cat. problem, is the Check Engine Light on? Could be a Heat Shield, but I would suspect the AC Compressor Clutch.

[juanrjr06]

Thanks, no check engine light is on. I took it in today, they found the heat shield was loose and fixed the rattle. Not much cost, beats the hell outta having to pay for a new catalytic converter. He said it still had life, no problems with it.
Thank you for your input.