Hi,

 

1990 Legacy 180,000 miles. I just sarted having a problem with rattles on start up. It goes away once the engine is warmed up though. It sounds like an exhaust rattle just behinde the engine (not from muffler that is less than a year old). Anyone else encounter this?

It's usually the heat shield around the cat. I removed mine and wrapped asbestos tape around the necks of the cat, then reinstalled the shields.

Yeah, my vote goes to heat shields. Mine rattle when I shift...I've learned to live with it.

My heat shields on the exhaust pipes under the car (a '95 Legacy sedan) do the same thing on startup. It's just annoying, not a major problem. The screw that holds them is rusted and won't stay tight. Maybe I'll try putting a new screw in it.

 

Brian M.