4k rattle or cat? Also warranty Q

[Chris1.4RT]

I had my centre section replaced under warranty last June when the car was 31 months old. Typical 4k rattle noise, went away when replaced. The car is a 53 reg Clio 172.

Thing is the noise has returned only now it does it mainly at 4k but slightly on acceleration from 2k but gets much louder at 4k then dissappears from about 5k onwards.

Had the car in today as they said they would 'look at it'.

Benfield reckon it's the catalytic convertor that's causing the rattle. They seem to think the ceramic pieces inside have come loose.

He also reckons it's not covered by warranty as it's not actually broken but just rattling. A new one is about £350 with fitting! :dapprove:

I'm not happy and told them so. They're supposedly going to put it on an emissions test to see if the cat has gone but sod's law will dictate it's fine.

It's making the car undriveable as soon as you put your foot down it sounds like a bag of spanners.

Are cats really this expensive? Would you say I could kick up a fuss and say it's not working as intended as should be replaced?

This is Benfield Renault Newcastle - had hassle with them before. I know plenty other people on here have too.

Cheers.

 

[rwaterman]

Hi mate when you here this rattle does it sound like its coming from up the front of the car? The reason I ask this is because I have this ressanance, rattling on mine which happens at about 2500-3000 rpm and really noticable in say 3rd-4th gear, it mostly sounds like its coming from the front or directly underneath where I sit.
I have a stainless steel exhaust from the cat back which I will be replacing soon for another and hope that it goes with that but if not I imagine it will be coming from the cat??
I dread forking out £350 for a new one, could you not just but one from ktec or another tuning place which would probably be cheaper thatn from a main dealer? Probably what I would do....

Rob.

 

[Chris1.4RT]

Yeah it sounds slightly different from when I had the 4k rattle from the centre section I must admit.

It sounds like it's coming from just below the gear stick.

I'd never buy a Renault Cat, it'd have to be a scrappy jobby or a performance sports cat. £350+ is daylight robbery.

If you've a 182, I'd imagine you'd still have manufacturer's warranty and should be covered.

 

[rwaterman]

Runs out in april should be getting new stainless next couple of weeks though if not will have to book it in. Ktec sports cat seems not a bad price not sure how much a janspeed one is.

 

[FeelX]

I had two rattles in my 172.

one between 2500-3000 rpm.... mechanic said it had something to do, with the handbrake mechnisme rattling against a heatshield.

other one was at 4000rpm... def other sound. The cat was rattling like a b*tch. The mechanic can check with a stethoscoop or just a screwdriver, but watch out! Exhaust of the 172 and others also seem to be a bit hot .

Anyway the 2500-3000 still comes back one in a while, but not bothering me anymore.