Whats that noise

[Beechy]

Hi
I've just bought a 2001 S2 Lotus Elise and it's great exept after driving for about 1/2 an hour there is a funny noise at low speeds. The noise is a kind of hollow creaking or something tapping against something kind of noise. If it's just one of those typical lotus noises that I keep hearing about then I'm not to worried but I just want to make sure that I'm not damageing anything by driving it.

[W022A]

"Whats that noise" has got to be in the top 3 most asked questions by new owners - I'm pretty sure it was the first message I posted here.

Chances it typical. Try to isolate it to engine / gearbox / interior / doors /other. Stick the car in neutral while you are driving and see if you hear the noise; if you still get it, then you've elimated the transmission. Is it only at certain revs? I used to have a ticking "tappet" /pinking type at ~1900rpm which turned out to be totally normal (randomly disappeared). Is is consistant or intermittant, prevalent at higher speeds?

Typical non engine things I've found that could cause rattles:
-Window winders: tighten with an alan key
-Doors: Lotus used to use door striker pins that were too small. Now they use bigger ones. If affected, demand from dealer.
-Front services panels: can rattle against front window. If affected, tighten / adjust ride height.

Part of the fun of the elise is diagnosing you noises!

Let us know how you get on.

[Beechy]

Hi
Thanks your help.
I tried to isolate the noise last night and the noise is definatly from the back of the car and not from the front, interior or the doors (I can get the noise with the doors open or closed) and it sounds like from the back left side. If I rev the engine while stationary there is no noise. and if I'm going slowly and put it in nutral it still happens. I think the noise is still there at higher speeds but it gets drowned out by the engine and road noise at about 30 MPH I can however sometimes replicate the noise by rocking the car.
As it only gets noisy after driving 20 miles or so do you think something could be expanding and then rubbing against something as it sort of sounds like a creeking type of noise.
Do you have any other ideas for tracking it down?
Thanks again for your help

>> Edited by Beechy on Tuesday 8th July 12:20

[markepst]

I have an Elise S2 2002 model and have the same noise and symtoms exactly...I was wondering if this was some kind of suspension issue...the only differnece betwwen the noise you discribe and mine is that the creeeking and tapping is comming from the back right of mine.....

[Beechy]

I did actualy wonder if it was suspension related.
I wonder how common it is?

[markepst]

I am having my car checked out at the weekend.....So by Moday I should know for sure what it is.......

[DanH]

Isn't there a known issue of the catalyst heating up one of the suspension bushes causing it to dry out and creak?

Dunno if its related to your issue though.

[Beechy]

markepst said:

I am having my car checked out at the weekend.....So by Moday I should know for sure what it is.......

I'd realy appriciate it if you let me know what they say it is.

[Beechy]

DanH said:

Isn't there a known issue of the catalyst heating up one of the suspension bushes causing it to dry out and creak? Dunno if its related to your issue though.

Do you know if there is a cure for that problem?

[abz 7001]

Remove the cat.....

And fit a cat replacement pipe? Problem fixed and just make sure you get earplugs too

[Beechy]

How much will that cost? Sorry I'm a bit new to all this stuff.

[beechy]

markepst said:

I am having my car checked out at the weekend.....So by Moday I should know for sure what it is.......

How did it go? Did they manage to track it down?