HELP! Engine rattle on acceleration

[aveoryan]

Hello,

Newbie to the forum, and I have a 2006 aveo 1.6L 5dr manual with 93,xxx miles on it. I've been trying to track down this rattle and it's driving me nuts. No matter if im sitting still at idle or driving at any speed, when I hit the gas pedal I get a rattling sound coming from the front of the car that sounds like a bolt in a coffee can, or a heat sheild rattling on the exaust (which there isn't by the way, that was my first stop). It only occurs upon giving it gas, not while cruising or sitting at idle with my foot off the pedal. I know what rod knock and lifter tick sounds like, and it doesn't sound like that.

At first I thought it was exaust like the flex-pipe under the engine, but then I disconnected it from the CAT up front and tapped it with my hand and got no rattle. Then I took the (hollow) CAT off of the exhaust manifold and there was nothing jumping around in there either. The only other thing I can think of is to pull the engine pan to see if (got forbid) anything is loose like the oil pickup tube... I dont know... it's killing me.

The car drives and shifts absolutely fine other than the noise which is very annoying, It's only when I give it gas upon acceleration. HELP! Anyone else with this issue???