Mechanical noises can never be a good sign!

[gavyn]

Hi guys, hoping some budding mechanics can give me a clue as to what the noises that have recently started coming from my engine are!

Golf 2.0GTI (Mk4), symptoms are a rattling noise when I come off the throttle from anything over about 4k. It makes the noise regardless of whether the engine is under load or not (clutch engaged or disengaged) and happens only when the engine is warm.

I'm not totally ignorant when it comes to mechanics but this is a noise that I've never heard before and the fact that it only happens when I come off the throttle baffles me.

TIA

[GreenV8S]

gavyn said:

Hi guys, hoping some budding mechanics can give me a clue as to what the noises that have recently started coming from my engine are! Golf 2.0GTI (Mk4), symptoms are a rattling noise when I come off the throttle from anything over about 4k. It makes the noise regardless of whether the engine is under load or not (clutch engaged or disengaged) and happens only when the engine is warm. I'm not totally ignorant when it comes to mechanics but this is a noise that I've never heard before and the fact that it only happens when I come off the throttle baffles me. TIA

Is it a knocking noise from inside the engine, or a rattling from an exhaust or something hitting resonance? If its knocking, then happening at high revs off the throttle sounds like it may be a little end. Your best bet is to find a decent mechanic to have a listen, that'll sort it faster than any number of opinions over the internet!

[Matt_T16]

If its defo a rattle check all the exhaust manifold and cat heat shields. Sometimes its the simpliest of things.

Matt

[Stig]

Check the engine mounts too as a broken one may rattle when you unload the engine.

[gavyn]

Thanks for the replies guys. Car is a company car and have booked it in for a checkup. I'm leaning towards the probability that it's a loose or broken exhaust fixing somewhere as yesterday I heard a knock when I hit a couple of bumps as well. Something I've never heard before.

At least it doesn't appear to be a sign of impending doom!