Got my first 172 Cup today - couple issues....

[Steve M.]

So I picked up my first 172 Cup today - 2003, 59k on the clock. Driving it home I've noticed a few more things I didn't spot on the test drive - don't think it's anything major, just not entirely sure what they are. Here's the list:

1 - What is the purpose of this? Is it important or is it simply a little cover to protect something? It fell down during the drive home.

2 - Possibly related to the dogbone but not sure - my girlfriend was following me home and she said that at some point on the motorway she noticed what appeared to be a small purple ball-looking thing bounce away from under my car. She doesn't know if it came from my car, or if I just ran over something. Any ideas?

3 - Rattle from somewhere under the car on high revs. Nothing to do with the gearbox as it happens in neutral, but at high revs (3500+ is quite noticeable) - best way to describe it is the sound a bunch of loose washers on loose bolts being resonated. Not sure what it could be but i'm thinking possibly the internals of the cat are all buggered? Any other thoughts?

4 - Clunk / metal-on-metal noise on full lock. I can see this on the buyers guide and see that it's probably a common issue - I haven't had a chance to properly look at this yet as I got home and then had to go straight out, i'll investigate in the morning. What's the easiest way of fixing this?

Anyone know of any good specialists local to Thatcham / Newbury area (Berkshire) - want to drop it in for a good full service but would prefer a specialist that knows all the little Clio niggles as opposed to a random garage.


Cheers

Steve

 

[MarkCup]

1. Looks like the insulation they put inside the undertray.
2. No idea!
3. Does it have a standard exhaust? If so will likely be the infamous 4k rattle...they pretty much ALL do that.
4. Not sure, never had that on mine.

Specialist? Make the trip to Portsmouth and visit Rentech. My Cup is still going strong at 130k, they're the only ones to ever have touched it, and I'll trust no one else with my 200 either.

 

[sam55]

Yeah that's the insulation, mines looking equally as knackered! But looks like yours is hanging off much more.
And yeah as said the 4k rattle is your noise. Not the cat, most likely the centre silencer. Replaced my exhaust cat back and it's cured the problem.

 

[guysy]

see if your ECU bracket is broken, most are, this is the fix with two washers each side wedged to stop the bracket from rattling: http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r173/guysy1110/193.jpg

Also check the fuel rail guard is tight.

And all pipes are in the right mounts, i also found out one of the metal pipes below the air box was out of the rubber mount on mine: http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r173/guysy1110/189.jpg

Thats all i can help with the noise side of things!

 

[Chili Red]

The clunk on full lock I always had on my 172, I think it was just how they are. I traded it in, never had it fixed.

 

[Steve M.]

Thanks for the advice. I didn't think the noises were anything overly serious so this has just confirmed it a bit. Will be leaving it with K-Tec for a bit next week to look over and service, so anything else will be picked up there. Happy days!