Nasty sounding mettalic rattle coming from r/end!

[abz 7001]

Not mine the cars (what have I opened myself up for)!

Never easy to describe over the internet and am off to see a mechanic friend this afternoon but just wanted peoples 2p worth incase it sounds familiar.

3 year old (trouble-free) S2 Sports Tourer, 19k, had B service in last 1000miles and new rear d/s rear wheel fitted (large piece of scally thrown concrete on dual carriage way buckled it).

Only way I can describe the noise is like a loose screw with a washer rattling against it and another surface, not related to gear box as only occurs when in neutral and engine idling or decelerating. Its coming from the rear passenger side and I think I managed to make it happen with the engine off by slamming the boot so am thinking exhaust mounts, undertray screws (had one loose before that sounded very similar as the engine idle caused it to resonate), loose trim, other fitting?

Any ideas? Sound familiar to anyone? Is there something in this area you would expect to replace after 19k?

Cheers for any advice - owned since new but know so little!

[abz 7001]

Mechanic visit delayed until morning so thought I would venture further info in the hope someone might have an idea whats come loose!

Seems to sart once ecar has warmed up, can be heard more pronounced when going over a rough surface like cobblestones suggesting it is something vibrating aganst metal. Could it be a loose heatshield or similar?

Should you stop driving in instances like these until it can be looked at or is the Liz made of stronger stuff - there is no effect on the ride whatsoever?

Suggestions gratefully appreciated!

[poptosis]

I have the same noise at exactly 2400k and I cant source it. I have banged and bashed everywhere and still can not locate it. Im just going to wait until whatever it is bloody falls off.

Take the undertray off and check the exhaust mounts etc would be my advice.

Could also be a washer or stone or something on the undertray. Get the car rolling and brake sharply to see if it moves.

The other obvious solution would be to get a louder exhaust

[abz 7001]

Doesn't sound right when it looks so god darn gorgeous! Actually have Janspeed, de cat and CDA induction fitted so plenty loud enough - just not so healthy with a metallic rattle

[Mutant Rat]

poptosis said:

The other obvious solution would be to get a louder exhaust

...which might even cure the problem, if your nasty metallic rattle happens to be a loose baffle in the exhaust!

[abz 7001]

One possibility, cheers.

Can anyone confirm if the Janspeed S/S has a lifetime guarantee or is that wishful thinking - has only been on two years - infact any idea on the actual warranties on Janspeed or similar equipment.

Many thanks Stuart

[DJ111S]

Got exactly the same rattle. Appeared just after a service, conincidentally. I'm going to drop the tray off and have a look later. My friend had a similar rattle and found that a couple of rivets that hold a heatshied had popped out. He put a couple of self tappers in, sorted it.

[abz 7001]

Cheers DJ! Feel like a bit of a numpty now actually...

Got underneath finally and it turned out to be one of the fixing screws and washer on the under tray, passenger side where it joins the tub, the washer waas causing all the noise - incredible how the alu tub can amplify the noise so much to the extent you think a key part of machinary is about to drop off, think this prompts me into starting another thread....

[poptosis]

What does an Elise sound like?...

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=15&h=&t=149331

[abz 7001]

Pretty much nailed it their poptosis, back to the drawing board for me then :-)

[ste cal]

i had similar metallic counding noise,after closer inspection appeared that a jubilee clip around the flexi pipe had eroded and was rattling about.

might be worth a check? dont think it was a standard size, the clip-i couldnt find so had to link 2 together-did the trick.

HTH
ste

[bher]

Hi there,

Still running in seriously , already 600 miles and get the famous rattle around 2200 rpm when retrograding in second or third gear. Very metallic from the rear,... as described.
1. Phoned the dealer to organize early enough (Thanks Dave )the first and very expected maintenance. He will take a good look but is there a definitive answer I missed on the forum ??
The noise is intermittent (more frequent when hot ??)and I hate intermittent trouble. Does not sound too bad actually, but in the city, it seems "great car, ..........ohoh bad noise it should be a lotus..."
2. Another point: in the traffic, the idle speed is sometimes very low for a few seconds almost stalling at rest, then automatically revving higher and then back to normal. It is really normal, as I guess?
I did stall once because I just had to start in the jam when the RPM were low.
3. Still don't know the real sound of the exhaust. Seems pretty good so far but "If you never see the paradise you can hardly imagine it". I never heard the Stage 1 or stage 2, but would be more for something slightly more sport (induction or exhaust) than something too loud for every-summer-day use. Car is already very eye-catching so, to avoid to go to much further.
Thanks for the advices and opinions

Have a good day.

Ben