Help - my car sounds like a tractor!
Discussion
I have an S1 that has developed one almighty rattle. Started as a bit of a rattle on hard(ish) acceleration after sitting in traffic half way through a 120 mile journey yesterday.
As soon as it started I pulled over and checked oil and water - oil level ok, water level ok and oil temp on stack normal. All dash lights normal. Sounded like a possible vibration, of something under acceleration, so I continued my journey.
Needless to say at the end of my journey it now sounds bloody awful, but is still only under acceleration - sounds normal on idle. On revving while stationary, the throttle is very slow to return to idle, so I'm thinking this could be an exhaust problem. It doesn't sound like a blowing exhaust, but could it be a baffle?
Any help appreciated - I need to drive back today. If it is the exhaust, is it ok to drive? Or could I be doing further damage?
As soon as it started I pulled over and checked oil and water - oil level ok, water level ok and oil temp on stack normal. All dash lights normal. Sounded like a possible vibration, of something under acceleration, so I continued my journey.
Needless to say at the end of my journey it now sounds bloody awful, but is still only under acceleration - sounds normal on idle. On revving while stationary, the throttle is very slow to return to idle, so I'm thinking this could be an exhaust problem. It doesn't sound like a blowing exhaust, but could it be a baffle?
Any help appreciated - I need to drive back today. If it is the exhaust, is it ok to drive? Or could I be doing further damage?
sounds like the flexi-section on the exhaust mid-pipe has failed... (they do that in time)
looks like this:
from here:
http://www.eliseparts.com/products.php?product=290
looks like this:
from here:
http://www.eliseparts.com/products.php?product=290
Bloody hell! That was quick! Thanks Scuffers.
I have only just had a new flexi pipe, about 6 months ago... hmmm...
Is it ok to drive though? As I said the throttle is not returning to idle properly, probably some air getting in somewhere, and some over correction from engine management? Drives ok as long as I don't put my foot down :-(
I have only just had a new flexi pipe, about 6 months ago... hmmm...
Is it ok to drive though? As I said the throttle is not returning to idle properly, probably some air getting in somewhere, and some over correction from engine management? Drives ok as long as I don't put my foot down :-(
mrssumner said:
Bloody hell! That was quick! Thanks Scuffers.
I have only just had a new flexi pipe, about 6 months ago... hmmm...
Is it ok to drive though? As I said the throttle is not returning to idle properly, probably some air getting in somewhere, and some over correction from engine management? Drives ok as long as I don't put my foot down :-(
well, if it's failed again, then I would suggest either the replacement was suspect or the engine mounts are in trouble allowing the engine to move too much thus killing the flexi.I have only just had a new flexi pipe, about 6 months ago... hmmm...
Is it ok to drive though? As I said the throttle is not returning to idle properly, probably some air getting in somewhere, and some over correction from engine management? Drives ok as long as I don't put my foot down :-(
need to get the trays off and have a look at it all really...
mrssumner said:
Will do. It's due an MOT anyway, and will be on it's way to Phoneix in Accrington, but is it ok to drive, do you think, or shall I have the RAC take me there? Thanks for the quick reply again, and sorry for being a PITA!
well, only real issues are:1) the exhaust will be blowing where it's not supposed to, so things are likely to get hot, like the gear cables etc, if you do drive it, do it slowly without big throttle openings.
2) if the mount(s) have given way, then the engines going to be moving about, also bad news...
After moving my car to my mum's house ;-), I have phoned the RAC.
They are on their way and if they can't fix it, they will recover me to anywhere within the UK (tomorrow morning, I hope). I guess that's what I pay £80 a year for, so may as well use it! The fact that I could have saved a few quid on renewal for not calling them is small beer compared to the amount of damage I could do by trying to drive it a further 120 miles. Besides, I'll save on fuel...!
Thanks for all the replies.
They are on their way and if they can't fix it, they will recover me to anywhere within the UK (tomorrow morning, I hope). I guess that's what I pay £80 a year for, so may as well use it! The fact that I could have saved a few quid on renewal for not calling them is small beer compared to the amount of damage I could do by trying to drive it a further 120 miles. Besides, I'll save on fuel...!
Thanks for all the replies.
Sounds very similar to when my Cat collapsed. At the time, I suspected the flexi pipe but when I got under the car I caught a spanner on the cat I could hear something loose inside it. A new one is only £80 if that turns out to be your problem. Or decat is even cheaper. Hope you get it sorted.
Well the very nice RAC man has just agreed that he thinks it's the exhaust blowing, even though he couldn't see anything, BUT has also said that he thinks he can hear a rattle that might be a valve, as well??? :-(
Oh, well, it's only money, and at least I've got a tow arranged for the morning. I'll just have to wait and see what tomorrow brings... perhaps another upgrade
Just wish I'd phoned the RAC as soon as I'd heard the rattle in the first place, but then hindsight is a wonderful thing, and if I did that every time I heard a rattle, I'd never get anywhere.
Oh, well, it's only money, and at least I've got a tow arranged for the morning. I'll just have to wait and see what tomorrow brings... perhaps another upgrade
Just wish I'd phoned the RAC as soon as I'd heard the rattle in the first place, but then hindsight is a wonderful thing, and if I did that every time I heard a rattle, I'd never get anywhere.
Update...
Picked my car back up from Phoenix yesterday. It turned out to be just the exhaust. When I'd had the new flexi pipe fitted by a local (non-specialist) garage in Wigan, they hadn't used new gaskets. Apparently the old ones had disintegrated, or blown out...
I'm just so glad to have my car back. And it sounds far better than it did when I first had the flexi replaced. Big thanks to Phoenix!
Picked my car back up from Phoenix yesterday. It turned out to be just the exhaust. When I'd had the new flexi pipe fitted by a local (non-specialist) garage in Wigan, they hadn't used new gaskets. Apparently the old ones had disintegrated, or blown out...
I'm just so glad to have my car back. And it sounds far better than it did when I first had the flexi replaced. Big thanks to Phoenix!
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