Rattling exhaust baffles and noisy tappets, quick fix req'd.

[Tony427]

I finally managed to get my old dad to stop driving by the simple expedient of taking his car away, he's well into his 80's and frankly he was getting dangerous.

Now I have a nail of an 2ltr Omega on the drive that I want to get into some decent state and sell on so the old folks have some extra cash.

Trouble is the exhaust baffles in the rear box are rattling like hell, really, really noisy and resonating, and the 16V Ecotech engine has a noisy, tappety top end, especially when cold or under load at 3500 to 4200 rpm.

Is there a quick, and cheap, fix for either problem. Stripping down heads and rebuilding not a problem, neither is re welding the baffles within the box. Is this possible, just how do I go about doing it?

Car is not worth much but is very comfortable and is just over 100k miles so isnt ready for the scrappy yet. I also want to spend as little as possible so any sensible advice is welcome.

Cheers,

Tony

[jacko460c]

Turn the radio up.

[Tony427]

Rattling in exhaust caused by loose pipe in middle silencer. Cut access plate into silencer with intention of removing rattling arpipe and rewelding the silencer but outer skin of silencer was aluminium and inner skin was steel of such thinness that my poor welding skill just couldn't cope. Net result new middle box required.

Still hoping that someone out there who knows the ECo tech engine will have a cheap remedy for the noisy hydraulic tappets.

The radio solution does work but I just hate having cars that aren't mechanically ok....

Cheers,

Tony