Help to Identify a Noise

[Lewis's Friend]

Hi All

I have a noise that I'd like to identify. Obviously its quite difficult to convey on a forum, but I'll try.

When accelerating (not necessarily hard) there is a kind of scraping noise (that's probably the best description I can come up with.

It is only audible in gear. Drop the clutch and it goes and even coasting in gear it cannot be heard. Accelerate and it comes back, but is not particularly loud.

Does this mean anything to anyone?

Cheers

[S2Andy]

Would suggest that because it is in gear and therefore under load that the engine / gearbox is twisting on its mountings slightly and either the exhaust is touching something or the anti roll bar and sump are making contact.

[Kitchski]

Diff's a likely candidate. Sometimes they're just noisy, not necessarily faulty.

[Lewis's Friend]

Thanks for the replies. It could be the diff, as I think it is something in the drivetrain.

It's an S3c so has an LSD - not sure if this would be more or less noisy than a normal diff? It has made this noise since I've had it, and has got no worse and seems not to effect performance.

I think I'll probably just leave it, and keep an ear on it to see if it develops. Though I'm thinking now it might just be how they are!

[QBee]

If it could be described as a "sewing machine tappety noise" under load/acceleration, then it's possibly leaky exhaust manifold gaskets.....unless its coming from behind you. In that case my money is on the exhaust vibrating as the drivetrain twists, as already suggested.