"Chassis Whisperer" in home counties

[anonymous-user]

[redacted]

[RUSSELLM]

In manufacturing, they use hydropulse to check for any squeaks and rattles that aren’t easily identifiable/usual suspects.

Might be worth searching to see if there’s an independent one, that can be used for an hour.

Edit… might be worth posting a recording up, in case anyone recognises it.

Edited by RUSSELLM on Sunday 8th August 10:47

[ian332isport]

I don’t know about the F23 specifically, but quite a number of F30 owners have had horrible rattles from the windscreen washer fluid tank not being secured properly. That’s certainly on the offside on an F30.

You’ll need to remover the wheel arch liner to access it, but it’s only a few screws. Probably need to take the wheel off too.

[RUSSELLM]

Have you had the wiper arms and leaf screen off, and had a delve down the back of the engine.

I suppose the obvious one down there, would be the steering column passing through the bulkhead ?

Are any AC/cabin coolant pipes down there ? If so any fixings stuck down the side ?

Might sound a bit brutal, but my first test, is car up on the ramp, then whack the hell out of the sub frame with a rubber mallet

It’s surprisingly effective

Edit… Other bits as they pop in to my head… Steering column can transfer sound inwards, so you could follow that down to the coupling with the rack.

Brake booster/cylinder… not known one of them rattle, but worth a look.

Firewall and fixings.

Can need Two of you sometimes, one lying across the engine bay at an uncomfortable height, and one underneath with the mallet

Edited by RUSSELLM on Sunday 8th August 12:54

[jv021]

Try the easy stuff first if you already haven't done so... Things like making sure engine covers are secured with all fixings, pipes or hoses are interfering with things around them, under trays are not cracked or loose, wheel arch liners arent missing fasteners.

Also sound can bounce around a car, so a quick check around the rest of the car for lose trim could help identify the issue too.

[ian332isport]

Looks like the washer fluid tank rattling is a known thing. Here’s a technical service bulletin from the states.

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2017/MC-10146682...

This video shows something similar on an F20.

https://youtu.be/031LNauzVqY

[Olivergt]

ok, we need to know if that solves the problem on your car as well.

Please check...

I'm always impressed by hard to diagnose issues and the wealth of knowledge and help that is available here.

Please keep us updated.

[Court_S]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Hopefully it’s a cheap and easy fix then.

[ian332isport]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Fingers crossed and all that.

[ian332isport]

I think the fix is to apply foam tape in strategic places to stop it from rattling. Nothing very scientific. Just pack it out until it can't move around.

[ian332isport]

That’s great news. Glad you got it fixed.

[Court_S]

Good news that it was simple and I’m guessing cheap enough.

Is the car staying or are you still tempted to move it on?

[Olivergt]

OP, thanks for the updates, glad to hear you have the rattle sorted.

Hopefully there are no more issues now.

[RUSSELLM]

HPI etc have always been the same.

If it’s been repaired privately and not been subject to an insurance claim, then as you’re finding out, it won’t show up on a check. That’s nothing new though. Even after a vehicle check, it’s still worth having a look round the car, before buying.

I would have thought the majority of repairs though, especially on anything of value, have gone through an insurance claim. For the price of a check, you’re ruling out a good chunk of repaired cars, just not all of them.