S1 111s problem

[Gad-Westy]

My car has started making an odd noise. It happens at highish revs and under load. The best way I can describe the noise is that it sounds a little like the whoosh you get from a turbo only with a slight metallic rattle. At low revs the car sounds it normal self.

A blowing exhaust is the obvious candidate, but I'm not convinced. There doesn't seem any lack of pressure when I try to cover the tailpipe. I dismantled the intake tonight as well and cleaned the air filter and had a good poe around but couldn't see anything. I did wonder if it might be pinking. I'm not sure that I've ever heard a pinking engine so I'm not sure. It does stutter from time to time and I'm sure it needs new plugs but something tells me that's not the cause. As a precaution I took the plugs out to clean them and check the gaps. Some of the gaps were a little wide so I tightened them up, but all that seems to have achieved is causing me Mil light to come on. I'll get some new plugs from BandC once they've confirmed which ones I need.

So, any ideas?

[Jez49]

Does sound like the flexi pipe blowing, get a stainless replacement with stainless bolt fitting kit from Eliseparts (cheaper and better made than the original steel one from Lotus.

Dont bother getting the plugs from Lotus

They are NGK R Platinums (cant remember the number off the top of my head) and are sold in most motor factors, a set will prob set you back £20 - £25 tho im afraid.

Jez

[jb111s]

I've got a similar issue which was picked up on the MOT. Makes a whiring turbo sound when pushing the loud pedal getting a new downpipe fitted this weekend.

[Gad-Westy]

Cheers gents. New plugs went in tonight. Cured the misfire but not the noise so its almost certainly not a pinking noise. Looks like its time to get the dreaded undertray off and take a look.