Volkswagen: 1994 VW Jetta GL, time melissa, vw jetta

Question
Hi,
 I have a 1994 VW Jetta GL with about 144,500 miles on it.  Whenever I turn on the car, it makes a rattling noise on the left to left-center.  Once I am driving it goes away, but it comes back when I downshift or when the car is reving 20rpms or under.  
 I don't know if this would possibly be a related problem, but the fan always seems as if it is extra loud once I turn the car off.  I don't know if It is because it's hot outside or if it is because it's overheating.  
 Thanks for your time!!!
-Melissa

Answer
hello Melissa.  Let's take a few steps here.  The first question is...looking at your temperature gauge on your instrument cluster, (after a good little jaunt through town), where is the needle sitting?  This will tell us if the car is overheating.  Secondly,... This is a manual transmission car...correct?  If so, do us this favor:   Pull the emergency brake, start the car, take out of gear and release the clutch pedal....do you hear this strange noise you speak of?  Now push the clutch pedal in, do you still hear the noise?
let me know what you find,
shad