Rattling puma

[balders118]

So, you may soon realised here in the Ford forum that I am a paranoid mess when it comes to my cars. Pumapeople.com seems to be down (?) and has been for the last few days so here is my port of call.

I have a rattling, maybe could just about be described as a rasping (clutching on straws hoping its exhaust here) coming from under the car it seems. It occurs usually between 1800 - 2300 rpm and does so when the engine is under load. So maybe when climbing a small hill in 4th at 30mph, or accelerating in 2nd or 3rd through that rev range. It gets loaded if I accelerate harder, up until a point where if i'm really pushing I don't seem to here it. It does not do it if in nuetral and I rev it, or if in nuetral and I hold the revs at 2000rpm.

I'm hoping its a loose exhaust mount (although i've had the garage I bought it from check and they said they couldn't see anything wrong), or a hole in the exhaust - however it is not your usual blowing noise.

I can't really think what else it could be. Gear box? It doesn't sound like its coming from the engine.

TIA

Chris

[M155 Lucy]

Can't really help you with diagnosing the noise but if puma people is down try project puma.

Really helpful guys over there. Been a member for ages now and they always help you out where they can

[Somnophore]

May be the exhaust heat shield has come loose. Usually the screw points rust through, easy fix just get some big washers and refit.

[balders118]

Somnophore said:

May be the exhaust heat shield has come loose. Usually the screw points rust through, easy fix just get some big washers and refit.

This was really close to the exhaust so the garage moved it slightly and re-fixed it - didn't solve the issue. It may be that it is loose and wont tighten right up though.

[Somnophore]

My gfs one came loose/off and was rattling around, the guy took it off, used some oversized washers which grip the shield and hold it on when the bolts are put back in, my bet is that it's your heat shield, which is good as it's a cheap fix.

[Pumajay]

might sound odd but the gear sticks on puma's do tend to make a rattling sort of noise when you accelerate, vibrates slightly and can be heard... it could just be that

[balders118]

Pumajay said:

might sound odd but the gear sticks on puma's do tend to make a rattling sort of noise when you accelerate, vibrates slightly and can be heard... it could just be that

Ahh im running two puma threads at the moment!!

Definatly external and its more than a slight rattle, very very obvious and has got worse I think.

I had the garage look at the heat sheild when they had it in the air today and they said that its on there fine. If this is someone who isn't a puma pro, could they have missed this being the cause of the rattle? If not, any other ideas what it could be? To me its sounds bad and irritating, but not something thats jepordising the car as a vechile... which annoys me as that makes it more difficult for me to justify spending (the very little) money i've got on trying to source the issue. Hence looking for a free internet diagnosis.

Cheers.

[anonymous-user]

Knackered cat? Although that will usually rattle in neutral too.........

[balders118]

Dave_ST220 said:

Knackered cat? Although that will usually rattle in neutral too.........

Doesn't rattle in neutral. Also its been doing it 3-4 weeks and it had an MOT 7 or 8 weeks ago, so surely if the cat wsa on the way out it would have failed emissions??

[balders118]

So its been in the garage today... Mechanic had ruled out heat sheild (although when he heard the noise thats immediatly what he thought it was). He was at a loss as to what it is, so its going in for more investigatory work in a weeks time. Any ideas what else it could be so I can go in armed with some suggestions? the mechanic said he thinks its coming from the 'box area..?

Cheers once again...

[*Al*]

Heard this before, the CAT is loose inside but will still pass MOT emissions.

[balders118]

If that is the case, will it mean a new CAT I assume? Any idea of cost?

Cheers

[balders118]

Firsly apologies for resserecting this thread again but there developments (or not!)..


So firstly, the garage I bought my puma from had a look. Thought they may have solved it by fiddling with the heat shield - they didn't. Week or so later take it to another garage to see if the can find whats wrong, they can't see anything immediatly and said bring it for the whole day friday (today) and we'll have a better look.

So today comes, and I get a call saying we've spent an hour on it (£65) and haven't found this issue. We can hear it but can't find it. (one issue is that it only rattle when driving and won't do it when you just rev in neutral). They ask what they want me to do - I agree to another hours work and then if they haven't found it then i'll make have a think. Hour or so later - still not found it. The garage says they have exhausted every possible option without taking it down to the timing belts (another 2 hours +). I cut my losses at £130 (at the risk of spending £260+ without fixing anything!!) having already spoken to the garage that I bought it from (who are great btw) who are going to find the issue and not charge me for finding out what it is. Hopefully if its expensive it will be covered by the RAC warrenty I got with it, so fingers crossed no further money out my pocket. Its going back in with them on Monday. I just feel I have made some bad descisions in there and ended up £130 worse off with nothing to show for it, except finding out what doesn't cause the rattle!

So the second garage reckon its VVT related - the cam belt was changed when I got it - related?

Any idea from the PH masses?

Apologies for the long post, and on going issues!! Any help would be very much appereciated.


Chris

Edited by balders118 on Friday 5th November 19:27

[AARONM3]

Not much help but I seem to have the same issue on my 2000 1.7. Under load it quite low down the revs I get a rattling noise that sounds like it almost comes from the passenger door or glove box. I've had the car a couple of years now and had a few services and a new exhaust. I guess it could be coming from under the car as it could just be the acoustics making me think it's coming from the aforementioned area.

Only thing I've found is that the screws on the airbox no longer tighten properly to hold the lid in place tightly but I think the bonnet would stop this moving about anyway. Out of curiosity does your airbox screw down properly- by which I mean the top lid? I'll try whacking some zipties through the bolt holes tomorrow and see if that fixes it.

So I'll be keeping an eye on this topic and if you do solve it please post! Other than that I find it an absolute joy to drive to the point where I eye up new metal only to realise that they don't really do anything better than my dear old Puma.

[balders118]

AARONM3 said:

Similar issues....

My rattle is distinctly infront of and below me and can bery *very* loud. It does get louder under more load at low revs like yours though. Much louder with the window down so is very obviously not an internal dash rattle etc. I haven't personally checked the air box, but after spending £130 at the garage I hope they have! TBH, it doesn't sound like that could be the source for me. I will check though.

I will keep you posted. Garage #2 hinted that the new cambelt may not have been done well, and could have fked a few things up, or just not been fitted quite right. Thing is I rate both places, so i'm not going to go accusing mechanics at garage #1.

[torquespeak]

Read over this to start with as I - like others - thought it was going to be the exhaust heat shield (mine is scheduled to be fixed having come loose too, seems a common problems with Pumas).

Sorry it's turning out to be more complex (and expensive) - keep us updated on what it turns out to be (if you ever find out!)

[balders118]

torquespeak said:

Read over this to start with as I - like others - thought it was going to be the exhaust heat shield (mine is scheduled to be fixed having come loose too, seems a common problems with Pumas).

Sorry it's turning out to be more complex (and expensive) - keep us updated on what it turns out to be (if you ever find out!)

Will do...

It spent monday back at garage number one, who thought they'd crakced it by tightening the air box.. no such luck.

It's going back in on saturday for more extensive work I hope. I hate things like this, turning into a right ball ache!!

[neiljohnson]

If the timing belt is not done with the correct locking tool there will be a rattle from the offside of the car as the vvc system is not woking correctly

[AARONM3]

Presumably that does some damage with the valves and pistons coming together? Mine has been like it for the last 2 years and done many miles including some on track...?!

I guess mine is something else then as although I've never had it dynoed- why would I(!)- I did a VMax run at Brunters (I know, not the the most exotic car to take but it was the camera car!) and it bested a new Astra SRi 1.8 (and that was a hire car!).

I realise that last sentence sounds terribly sad out of context...

Edited by AARONM3 on Friday 12th November 00:34

[neiljohnson]

AARONM3 said:

Presumably that does some damage with the valves and pistons coming together? Mine has been like it for the last 2 years and done many miles including some on track...?!

I guess mine is something else then as although I've never had it dynoed- why would I(!)- I did a VMax run at Brunters (I know, not the the most exotic car to take but it was the camera car!) and it bested a new Astra SRi 1.8 (and that was a hire car!).

I realise that last sentence sounds terribly sad out of context...

Edited by AARONM3 on Friday 12th November 00:34

No even witht he vvc knackered the valves cant hit the pistons