Q: my car makes a sound like rocks rolling when i place car into drive cannot hear when in park on under load

asked by on December 17, 2016

car is in drive stopped and sounds like rocks rolling around a tin can. when in park this cannot be heard. when driving cannot hear it either. car has stalled once or twice vehicle 1994 mazada 626 2lt auto

My car has 124000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

It seems you have two separate problems. The "rocks rolling around a tin can" sound is most commonly from the exhaust system. Possibly a broken / loose baffle in the muffler or resonator. Most commonly would be a heat shield on the front pipe or catalytic converter. The heat shields are generally two pieces that are spot-welded together around these components. With age and mileage, the welds can break or rust, causing the two pieces to rattle together. It can be random - certain gears, certain load, etc, or it can be continuous. A certified technician can assess the rattling noise to determine where exactly it is coming from.

As for the occasional stalling, any number of ignition or fuel related components can cause this. Worn spark plugs, low fuel pressure, vacuum leaks, etc, can cause stalling, either consistently or randomly. However, random faults can be difficult to assess unless they are happening at the time of inspection. However, a technician may be able scan the system to check for faults or sensor values that may be out of specified ranges, that can cause the vehicle stalling

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Problem with shifting positions
It may very well be that your vehicle has a problem that is causing reduced power output. Some such things could be: Faulty fuel pump (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/fuel-pump-replacement) Faulty oxygen sensor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/oxygen-sensor-replacement) Vacuum leak (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/vacuum-hose-s-replacement) When any of these occur, the power...
When the ignition switch is left on ACC for a while, the car won't start
This is not an uncommon issue. Listening to the radio for 25 minutes with the car off is not a problem normally. But in this case, the most likely cause of this is either the ignition switch or the battery...
Car has power reduction and grinding noise
Hello. From the symptoms you are describing it would appear that the vehicle may be experiencing some sort of mechanical issue with the engine or transmission. The issues may or may not be related, however that should not be an...
Is the thermostat hard to replace in 2011 300
Hello, thanks for writing in about your Chrysler 300. The labor time for this job usually takes around an hour to replace the thermostat and cover assembly. The upper radiator hose and intake air cleaner hose needs removed for access...
Uneven tread wear and vibrating
I believe you have some suspension problems. If you have worn balljoints, then you will have a problem with uneven wear and tear on your tires. Also, you could have a problem with your control arms. The front of your...
I have a new 2015 Subaru Crosstrek and haven't had an oil change yet. No alerts have come on yet
Subaru does not recommend leaving the engine oil in longer than 6 months (or 6,000 miles, whichever comes first). So you are definitely overdue on an oil change (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/change-oil-and-filter) based on the time criteria. Subaru recommends 100% synthetic oil. Although...
Bad crankshaft sensors - would that cause the problem of poor acceleration? 1996 Chevy K1500
Hello - yes, a failed crankshaft or camshaft position sensor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-crankshaft-position-sensor) can cause a "loss of power" situation. The ignition system has a limited fallback ignition timing scheme to allow the vehicle to run, albeit with little power, to get...
Coolant coming out of my air intake
I think the most likely cause of this issue would be a blown intake manifold gasket. I would recommend having your engine smoke tested to determine if any smoke comes out of the place you believe the coolant is leaking....
What is the torque required for a inner tie rod?
Hi there. The inner part of the tie rod (differential-to-drive axle flange nut) is torqued between 40 to 47 foot pounds. The outer part of the tie rod (tie rod end nut) is torqued between 31 to 42 foot pounds....

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2011 Mazda Tribute
2011 2011 marked the final year of production for the Mazda Tribute, a compact SUV that shared a platform with certain Ford models. The Tribute managed to combine relative affordability with decent performance and a modicum of comfort while driving...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You're On a Budget
If If you’re on a budget and need to purchase a car it can feel as though it’s slim pickings. Thankfully, there are plenty of great options available even to those on a tight budget. Let’s take a look. The...
The Best Used Cars to Buy for Long Commutes
Most Most of us are faced with the prospect of commuting back and forth to work on a daily basis, but some have a much longer drive than others. When it comes time to buy a car, you need to...