Noises from the engine bay

[ar-gto]

I'm not sure that I am not making myself worry needlessly since the car has been running well recently, but it would appear that once warmed up, when the car is stationary at idle there is a definate loud rattle coming from the engine. It sounds very much like the clutch release bearing - and since the noise dissappears when you depress the clutch....

Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this, or if I have just picked up on a noise that has always been there!

It needs to go back to the factory soon at some point anyway, as either the exhaust or some heat shield is giving a right old rattle when cold. And given that this is the third time it has gone I know I am not far away from having a car that permanently sounds like a tractor!

[paulcundy]

if its an early 5 speed gearbox its most likely the layshaft. Known to rattle, disapears with a few more revs. Not a problem. Mine did it and Mole Valley "fixed" it by speeding up the tickover. Test by operating the clutch and seeing what happens.
Regards
Paul C