2002 Phoenix - Strange rattle

[Andeh]

That's it... I can't take it any more, please help!

I've got a 2002 1.8 Phoenix which is at around 88k miles. It's developed a really annoying rattle when pressing on in 3rd but especially 4th gear. The back box has a bit of a rattle but that seems to only happen at idle or low speed manoeuvres and the sound of that is clearly from the back of the car.

It sounds like the heat shield may be loose but i would have thought I'd hear that all the time if that was the case.

It's at it's worst at around 30-40mph, in 4th gear and then beginning to accelerate. Very tinny, like a metal cable rattling against something.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

[Gilhooligan]

It may well be a heat shield. Mines rattled (the one where the cat goes) at approx 2100 rpm and that was it.

[MX-5 Lazza]

Again, heat shield. They tend to resonate at certain revs.

[Andeh]

Thanks all!

Is it an easy job to tighten the heatshield?

[Richyvrlimited]

Andeh said:

Thanks all!

Is it an easy job to tighten the heatshield?

Not exactly, they're two pieces of steed that are pressed together. They're ratling because the edges where they're clamped have rusted away.

Much easier to pull them off completely. Or if you're desperate to keep them, a large jubilee clip (or many joined together), can be used to stop them from moving about.

[Andeh]

Ok, so if i take it off what is the heat of the exhaust going to melt?

I can feel a sporty exhaust replacement coming on...Oh look, they're on offer from MX5 parts!