HELP! Rattling/something knackered in engine bay - identify it please!

[Ally]

I’m looking for opinions from the Cliosport collective on this…

My car’s in at the local Renault dealer today to have a rattling noise investigated. The noise seems to be originating from the lower area within the engine bay, pretty much in the middle, and happens when idling and also when accelerating gently up to about 1500rpm (i.e. under light load). A mechanic had a quick look last week and thought it might be the water pump, but asked for the car back for a couple of days to have a good look around. It’s also got a lot worse over the past 10 days since the noise started.

Does anyone have an idea of what this could be? I ain’t a mechanic but to me the sound is like knackered bearings on something that’s spinning, or a loose bit of metal rattling?! I'd rather have a second opinion before hearing what the garage have to say on it.

Also, I had a new alternator fitted 6 weeks ago – could this be related?

Thanks for any help.
Ally

 

[Rhino172]

my valver is doing the same mate....would be interesting to hear what people think it might be....

 

[Ally]

lol maybe it's just a generic Renault 'sound'...

Mine's a mk2 172 btw, forgot to say that above

 

[TheCake]

It could be a pully.....

 

[LegoHead]

Try removing engine cover, that solved one of my rattles.

 

[Ali]

^ ditto.

 

[Ally]

Cheers for the replies so far folks.

Deffo not engine cover, I had a good look at that but the noise is coming from a lower down. Although I think I'll probably remove it anyway, it just looks naff.

Cupcake, that's sort of what I was thinking. But a pulley for what? I hope they've not cocked something up when fitting the new alternator 6 weeks ago...

Any further suggestions?

 

[Ali]

Sure ther's no tools knockin about down by the grill??? Sockets, extensions etc?

 

[Daz Clio Cup]

I had a rattle that sounds very similar to yours and ended up being a water pump. hope this helps

 

[Rich_rs182]

i've got a clio 182 on a o4 plate and is making the same sort of rattle. ive had it bk at renault, i cant remember wot the part was called put its something that runs on pullies and belts and is gettin replaced on the 30th of may. it might be the same thing. i'll let u know if its repaired it if u havent already sorted it by then

 

[Fred@BTM]

tensioner or idler pully by the sounds of it, when they changed you're alternator did the fit a new aux belt?? was it a renault dealer that did the work?