Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Symptom Chart: Symptom Chart - NVH
2021 Ford Edge SE, 4WDSECTION Symptom Chart: Symptom Chart - NVH
WARNING: This page is about a different variant/trim than selected.
| Condition | Possible Sources | Actions |
|---|---|---|
| Rattle, squeaks or buzz type noise -- from the bottom of the vehicle | Loose or damaged heat shield | INSPECT the exhaust system for loose or missing heat shields or foreign material trapped between the heat shields and the exhaust system components. If any heat shields are loose, INSTALL worm gear clamp 7L5Z-5A231-AA and tighten to 7 Nm. If the heat shields are missing or a rattle, noise or buzz condition persists, INSTALL a new heat shield or component as necessary. |
| Loose or damaged exhaust isolators | VERIFY the exhaust isolators are correctly installed. INSPECT the exhaust isolators for wear or damage. INSTALL new isolators as necessary. | |
| Damaged exhaust isolator hanger bracket | INSPECT the exhaust system components for damage or broken hangers. INSTALL new components as necessary. CHECK for loose or damaged exhaust hanger brackets or fasteners. TIGHTEN the bolts to specification or INSTALL new components as necessary. | |
| Loose or damaged catalytic converter or muffler | MOVE the exhaust system to simulate the bouncing action of the vehicle, checking for exhaust-to-body contact while moving the exhaust system. Using a rubber mallet, TAP on the exhaust components to duplicate the noise concern. Lightly TAP on the muffler, then the catalytic converter. DETERMINE if there are loose or broken baffles in the muffler or a loose or broken element in the catalytic converter. REPAIR or INSTALL new components as necessary. | |
| Exhaust grounded to chassis | INSPECT for signs of exhaust components-to-body contact. REPAIR or INSTALL new components as necessary. | |
| Exhaust passive valve | INSPECT the operation of the exhaust passive valve. REPAIR or INSTALL new components as necessary. | |
| Drone or clunk type noise -- from the bottom of the vehicle | Loose or damaged exhaust isolators | INSPECT the exhaust isolators for wear or damage. INSTALL new isolators as necessary. |
| Exhaust grounded to chassis | INSPECT for signs of exhaust components-to-body contact. REPAIR or INSTALL new components as necessary. | |
| Whistles, boom, hum or ticking type noise -- noise tends to change as the engine warms. The noises are often accompanied by exhaust fumes | Exhaust system leak | INSPECT the entire exhaust system for leaks. CHECK for punctures, loose or damaged clamps/fasteners, gaskets, sensors or broken welds. EXAMINE the chassis for grayish-white or black exhaust soot, which indicates exhaust leakage at that point. To magnify a small leak, have an assistant hold a shop towel over the tail pipe outlet while listening for a leak. REPAIR or INSTALL new components as necessary. |
| Catalytic converter | MOVE the exhaust system to simulate the bouncing action of the vehicle, checking for exhaust-to-body contact while moving the exhaust system. Using a rubber mallet, TAP on the exhaust components to duplicate the noise concern. Lightly TAP on the muffler and the catalytic converter. DETERMINE if there are loose or broken baffles in the muffler, or a loose or broken element in the catalytic converter. REPAIR or INSTALL new components as necessary. | |
| Exhaust muffler/resonator drain hole enlarged due to corrosion | CONFIRM the drain holes are the noise source. INSTALL new components as necessary. | |
| Hissing or rushing noise -- high frequency sound and the vehicle performance is unaffected | Exhaust system Exhaust flow through pipes | CHECK the exhaust system for leaks. Using a rubber mallet, TAP on the exhaust components to duplicate the noise concern. Lightly TAP on the muffler and the catalytic converter. DETERMINE if there are loose or broken baffles in the muffler, or a loose or broken element in the catalytic converter. REPAIR or INSTALL new components as necessary. |
| Pinging noise -- occurs when exhaust system is hot, engine turned off | Catalytic converter/exhaust system | Cool down pinging is a result of the exhaust system expanding and contracting during heating and cooling. This is a normal condition. |
| Vibration -- occurs at idle and at low speeds. Also accompanied by a clunk or buzz type noise | Loose or damaged exhaust isolator | INSPECT the exhaust isolators for wear or damage. INSTALL new isolators as necessary. |
| Loose or damaged exhaust isolator hanger brackets | INSPECT the exhaust isolator hanger brackets for wear or damage. INSTALL or REPAIR as necessary. | |
| Exhaust system grounded to chassis | REPAIR or INSTALL new components as necessary. | |
| Engine drumming noise -- normally accompanied by vibration | Damaged or misaligned exhaust system | INSPECT the exhaust system for loose or damaged fasteners or isolators. REPAIR or INSTALL new components as necessary. |
| Sputter type noise -- noise worse when cold, lessens or disappears when the vehicle is at operating temperature | Damaged or worn exhaust system | INSPECT the exhaust system for leaks or damage. REPAIR as necessary. |
| Thumping noise -- from the bottom of the vehicle, worse during acceleration | Misaligned exhaust system | CHECK the exhaust system to chassis clearance. CHECK the exhaust system isolators for damage. REPAIR as necessary. |
| Engine vibration -- is felt with increases and decreases in engine rpm | Strain on exhaust system isolators | REPAIR or INSTALL new components as necessary. |
| Drumming noise -- occurs inside the vehicle during idle or high idle, hot or cold. Very low-frequency drumming is very rpm dependent | Exhaust system vibration excites the body resonances inducing interior noise | REPAIR or INSTALL new components as necessary. |
RENDER: 1.0x
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.