Datatek said:

I assume that you have done the easy checks of crank pully, exhaust mounts and heat shields?

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+1 on heatshields. The one under the driver's seat tends to rot through the shock washers and drop onto the exhaust and rattle.

Mine rattles a bit like that and it's the exhaust pipe touching the crossmember. Doesn't do it all the time... but I can't be arsed to crawl underneith to fix it...yet.

Well I didn't crawl underneath to do all the checks as the noise was gone friday morning. Aaand it was ****ing down the last few days I was in Ireland so I didn't feel like crawling around in the mud to look for something making a noise that wasn't there. I didn't feel movement in the crank pulley btw, but will check this again properly with a larger pry bar. I didn't have the other symptoms of a bad flex plate but will pop the inspection cover and have a look as now I don't trust it anymore... However my gut feeling is pointing towards something exhaust related.

Another reason that I didn't further investigate after the noise went away is that I have a recovery insurance and I found out it requires a certified roadside assistance company to declare that the car is not driveable --> I needed to break down with symptoms... Recovery on my own initiative to be cautious would probably have cost me a new engine in total. So if you know there's something maybe not right you have to drive until it breaks. Ah insurance companies love them!

I'm happy I could complete my trip and thankful for all the input here! That's what makes this site great! Now time to get the car on a lift and get to the bottom of this!


Anyway, thanks for all the input here! That's what makes this site so great! I'll give an update on my findings.

when it's up in the air, tap the cats with a rubber mallet. You will hear if there's a baffle loose.

Maybe whatever was rattling has fallen off?

roythebus said:

Maybe whatever was rattling has fallen off?

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I hope not because that would mean adding more things to my parts list, yet again

You need a magnet on a string to tow behind. It sounds a bit like the 10 reg Sport I just traded in, that was literally falling apart. I think it must have been owned by a circus clown at one time.