crackling/rattling noise coming from engine

[tstone09]

I have a loud crackling/rattling noise coming from the engine somewhere it's real loud when I first start it up then it stops and starts again while driving! Only started today. Any ideas? Thanks

[Ghost]

Check your oil to start with don't rely on a dash to tell you your oil is low

[commerdan]

I'm chasing a similar problem on my v6, very hard to pin point where as it come and goes, but I started with fitting an oil pressure gauge, and changing the oil. at this stage its a process of elimination

[Coxy92]

I agree with Xceler8 oil could be low, Sounds internal to me if youve run it dry that crackling rattling noise ive heard stories where the problem is the conrod bearing,gudgen pin. Even the oil pick up screen could be clogged up with gunk not feeding oil throughout the galleries.
Could also be as easy as a new oil filter.

[Kernal]

No i dont think it the oil in his case.

It would be one of your idler pulleys. There are 2 of them. They are the ones above the AC. Cheap and easy to replace.