Strange sound coming from my Elise 111r

[chicosgroove]

Hi Guys,
thanks for your help on the last post I made.
I have a new question. Ever since I bought my 54 plate 111r from Long Stratton last year, its made a sort of 'grating' noise when I come off the revs, you can hear it in most gears but its at its most prominent in the lower gears. Basically, you ease off the gas so the car is not accelerating and you can hear it. It sounds like its coming from the front left of the car and just sounds like the kind of noise smooth running machinery shouldnt make.
I took it back to Long Stratton in September (about 6 weeks after I bought it) so they could look at it. The mechanics first comments before even getting in was that 'elises make all sorts of strange noises which is often normal) which kinda put my mind at ease.
Anyway, when I picked it up, the service manager said it was a loose heatshield which had now been tightened. Sure enough, on the drive home, the car did seem quieter but within about 3 hours of driving it, the noise was back and has been to this very day.
Car performs absolutely fine but Im still worried about it. I have another car which a local mechanic is looking at and I mentioned it to him as he was a real car nut. He said it could be a sign that the Catalytic converter is about to go and often, by giving it a good bang, you can make the noise disappear (but obviously not the problem).
Not being an expert, Im not sure if I have a problem with my elise or not but it is going back to Long Stratton next week for a new set of rears and its 4 year service. Should I push this noise issue with them? Could it be the Cat? Has anyone else experienced this?
On a side note, where is the best place to get two new rears bought and fitted? As it stands it will be Long Stratton in Norwich as thats where I bought it from. I'm also preparing to sell the car if anyone is interested.
Many many thanks as always

C

[LivinLaVidaLotus]

Sounds like normal transmission noises to me if it sounds like it is coming from the passenger foot-well when you lift off. I was told TADTS.

[TTwiggy]

My '07 'S' makes the same noise - I just assumed it was part of the 'experience'...

[Bombjack]

Mine does the same, I assumed it's the brake caliper resonating.

[nsm3]

My O6 Exige S does it as well!

I have given up on the "noises" this car makes - I will just wait until various things do or don't get terminal before worrying?

Edited by nsm3 on Monday 23 June 16:32

[NathanE]

Could be a shear panel that needs tightening

Depends if its a mechanical ticking noise - which is gear box runover

Or if its more of a reverb type rattle - in which case check heatshield and shear panel

[subaqua]

From your description of the noise, I'd say its gearbox whine.... Have you heard the kind of noise a car with a straight cut gearbox makes, a touring car or many other race cars..... I'd say both the elises I have, maintain a small element of that kind of gearbox whine when you back off tthe throttle - I guess you don't notice it on other, more insulated road cars.

If you know anyone in your area that has an elise or exige, go out in theirs and listen for the same soundtrack!

[hueandcry71]

3rd Lotus and they have all made the same noise. I wouldnt worry about it.

[chicosgroove]

Thanks guys, thats a pretty strong consensus saying its normal.
Just out of interest, what is 'TADTS'!??

C

[dgr]

TADTS - They All Do That Sir

[wacattack]

Yeah, agree with above, sounds like gearbox chatter.

Not sure if its the same on the yota engine but in the K series gearbox people often change the oil to Taf-X (slightly thicker so dampens the noise somewhat)