I really really need to get to the bottom of this rattle. Please help!

[ScarySquirrel]

Hello,

I've had this rattle for months now and I am losing patience.

Symptoms:

- Rattle which sounds like a bolt in a tin cat being spun around
- Comes from underneath the gear lever area, so is definitely around the front end somewhere
- Only occurs under acceleration
- Doesn't occur when stationary
- Is most prominent if the engine is under more strain, ie. going up a hill in 2nd/3rd
- Not so obvious when going at speeds above 60mph in 4th/5th

What I have tried:

- Secured and bent away more areas of heatshield than I care to count
- Bought a Milltek cat-back system (I wanted one anyway, the CAT is still original)
- Replaced the rusty manifold to cat fitting kit (the two spring bolts + gasket)
- Removed the plastic under tray from under the engine (a bolt was missing and when knocked this rattled, so I have taken it off but it didn't seem to be the cause of the rattle)

I am now thinking that it is an engine mount problem. Does any one have ANY thoughts or can shed any light on this issue?

Thanks

 

[DrR]

Mines does the same, I noticed on mine the bolts that hold the manifold heat sheild on are loose, which makes the heatshield rattle if you tap it, but because of where the bolts are it's impossible to do them up.

 

[ScarySquirrel]

I'm just going to take it to Renault and get it sorted once and for all. I'm fed up of the noise.

 

[Daniel]

You whacked the cat?

I had a scenic in last week and the cat had broken up inside and it was rattling like a load of grit inside a coke can.

 

[sideways danny]

i'd go with something in the cat. Didn't this car have a pretty big engine failure?

 

[Rob]

Minor thread-jack...

I have a rattly noise, but don't have a CAT, I haven't checked ALL the heat shield yet though, I assumed it was my old backbox, but the new system does it too... suggestions danny?

It's only at a certain revs though, and is quite a unique little noise, but unpleasant.

 

[Will.]

Silly answer but on my 1.4 I had a rattle that I thought was coming from the exhaust. Turned out to be the air filter screws not done up tight enough so it was vibrating under accelertion.

 

[Rob]

I need to check, EVERYTHING, but it just seems a lot of effort, lol!

 

[Will.]

Some loud music, a few beers and an evening in the garage and you will be dandy.

 

[ScarySquirrel]

You whacked the cat?

I had a scenic in last week and the cat had broken up inside and it was rattling like a load of grit inside a coke can.

i'd go with something in the cat. Didn't this car have a pretty big engine failure?

The CAT is certainly something which had crossed my mind.

At the moment I'm thinking it might be the manifold bashing on the sub-frame due to worn mounts. However (as danny mentioned) I did have a huge engine failure a couple of months ago and I had a new engine go in. I'm sure if the mounts were worn it would have been mentioned at the time. Therefore perhaps it is the CAT. I've whacked it but I can't hear anything out of the ordinary.

 

[ScarySquirrel]

It's going to JMS on Monday next week for a service so they have kindly agreed to look into the rattle/knocking for me.

 

[ScarySquirrel]

Unfortunately this still hasn't been fixed. James and Tom at JMS were kind enough to spend a few hours looking into it whilst it was serviced, and they tried a few things but to no avail. Unfortunately there was no access to a.....errrm, big car lifty up thing, so they weren't able to get access to things too easily.

I will be so unbelievably happy if/when this gets fixed. They've kindly offered to take another look at it but unfortunately I'm over an hour and a half away so it's a bit of a trek.

Got it booked in at a local 'specialist' this Monday for them to take another look with it up on the ramp (that's the word I was looking for). Fortunately I'll have a free courtesy car so I might just leave it with them if they can't fix it

Does anyone have ANY other ideas? Just something which might give the mechanic an idea.

 

[baronvontinkle]

I have the exact same noise! Its only come on recently and like you say it really does your head in.

Let me know the garage find anything? Be great to know so i could sort this on mine.

 

[welshname]

loose change in the cup holders behind the ashtray?

 

[ScarySquirrel]

Well, it's been in a local garage today and they called me to say they have fixed it. I am picking it up in an hour, so we shall see.

They say they have:

- Adjusted the heatshield
- Adjusted two of the engine mounts (can't remember which ones)
- Replaced a missing bracket on the airbox

It seems one of, or all of these have fixed the problem. I will be bloody happy if it has so that I can FINALLY enjoy the car after 6 months of ownership!!!

loose change in the cup holders behind the ashtray?

haha. If it had turned out to be that I would rip my own testicles off!

 

[ScarySquirrel]

Well, I am amazed, but extremely happy to say that after around 3 months IT IS GONE!!! HURRAH!

I am so happy, it is FINALLY running as it should *touch wood*.

 

[172head]

Interesting, i have the exact same problem and its driving me mad, will check the mounts and air box, i've changed my back box, check all the heat shield to no avail

 

[danzman1991]

I have this problem and it's driving me crazy! By adjusting the Engine Mounts, what exactly does that mean? Just tightening up?