Danger Will Robonson!! (And Ross). The last sentence got jumbled in your excitement and I am not sure what you meant. As the self appointed safety czar, I am concerned that you are going to crawl ubder the car on jacks, with it running and in gear (drive shaft and wheels turning). I understand the personnal interest you have in this problem and your inquisitive nature, but please consider the hazards and options you have. You may have the technical expertise to perform this inherently dangerous task, and minimize the dangers, but you can not eliminate all of them and I don't want less experienced members trying this at home while their parents are at work. I guess these would be called "latchkey mechanics"?

I have posted newspaper reports of cars falling on home mechanics and killing them. I have also posted tips to work under cars safely, which I will do again just to spread the word:

ALways use good quality equipment jacks, jack stands, ramps etc. Have a flat paved area, use wheel chocks for the wheels that remain on the ground. Have a second person there that knows how to use a hydraulic jack so they can extricate you if the car falls. Have a telephone handy. Put your tool box or other sturdy thing under the car with you. This will provide breathing room should the car fall on you. All these things are very simple and easy to do, so there is no excuse for not doing it.

Now for the added risk of having hte car running. The exhaust will be hot and the drive shaft turning. The wheels will be turning. While crawling under the car you may inadvertantly touch a moving or hot object with your hand, head, leg, etc. You will probably already be nervous, hence the "jerk away" from the exhaust into the drive shaft, or similar problem. If the car does fall off the jacks, you won't die of suffocation, because the car will have backed over you! I really don't mean to preach to you, but I am concerned for you and others that might read this thread, especially if I didn't add these comments.

For alternatives, this is a good time to start really bonding with the tech and shop that will be doing all the work that you can't do. If you have a relationship with the shop, they should put it on the lift for you and let you come out and discuss the noise while it is on a lift and safe. I would guess that for an established customer, it might be free at this point, or just a minimum 1/2 hour fee. If you have not established a relationship with any shop, it is a great way to really figure out who you want to work on the car when it is needed, even if this problem turns out to be a simple home project!

You have a wonderful car, and I hope to see you in it on the road someday! Good luck and let us know what the problem is when you get it figured out!

Season's Greetings!