rattling noise from engine bay

[chris_ph2]

there a loud metal rattling/clattering noise coming from my engine bay. it's only whilst moving (under load) though so hard to tell exactly where abouts it's coming from

sounds like a metal ball bearing in a biscuit tin

only does it under firm(ish) acceleration from low/mid revs in the higher gears

doesn't do it in 1st, little bit in 2nd and it's really noticeable in 3rd. put your foot down at about 3-4k while cruising along in 3rd and it's really noticeable

any ideas what it might be?

cheers, chris :)

[Dasher_VTR]

valve clearances? sound like the tappets are slightly out like mine are.

[Mini-valver]

Does it do it when you are stationary? Sounds like a driveshaft mate....

[stevo67]

As above also check the manifold heat shield mine was loose & rattled.


Steve.

[chris_ph2]

doesn't do it while stationary. seems too loud and clattery to be tappets :S

will check the heatshield :y:

[Mini-valver]

I'd say it was a driveshaft mate. Could be the heat sheild but it'd do it whilst idling too....

[chris_ph2]

so what will the problem be with the driveshaft? and is it simply a case of replacing it?

is there any way of helping to confirm it's definitely the driveshaft?

cheers, chris :y:

[Mini-valver]

Yeah, you can do it in exchange basis at GSF IIRC.

Does it click when you turn on full lock?

[Mark51]

cant see it been the drive shaft mate.

does it do it constantly when you accelerate or just when you change gear?

[Dasher_VTR]

if it was driveshaft i would ave thought it would judder a bit and gearstick would shake thats what mine did anyway.

[chris_ph2]

was out in the car again last night and i've got to say it doesn't seem driveshaft related

roadwheel position makes no difference and it doesn't click when i turn on full lock

only ever does it when i'm accelerating

accelerate gently and it doesn't really do it. maybe just the odd tap. same when setting off or accelerating in 1st

accelerate firmly though in 3rd or 4th gear and there's a loud clattering. can hear it when accelerating in 2nd aswell, but the noise is less frequent and quieter

seems to only really do it when the engine is trying quite hard. say when you're accelerating firmly in 3rd when you should be in 2nd

the rate doesn't seem to increase much with the revs. the clatter just seems to get a bit louder and more violent

doesn't do it when i change gear either. literally just when i'm accelerating in gear

think i know what dasher means by the judder/gearstick shaking and it isn't doing that

if i had to guess i'd say it was engine/clutch related but i could well be wrong. maybe an engine mount or clutch bearing?

hope the above info helps

cheers, chris :)

[Lozza_vtr]

Sounds exactly the same noise as my 2001 vtr, i have had this noise since owning it. Still have not traced my problem, on mine it does sound like a heat shield is loose or something and clattering against something else. But i have checked all over and can still not find a prob? :n:

[Dar-Bar_Vtr]

is it when you bring the revs up slightly? like a bad vibration through the panels at the front end?

[Dar-Bar_Vtr]

sorry i nvr read that post right there, was on the phone, you could try the driverside engine mount? if its broken it knocks, could see it being the clutch release bearing? unless is it louder when u slightly press down on the clutch?

[Dar-Bar_Vtr]

**couldnt** see it being the clutch release bearing? unless is it louder when u slightly press down on the clutch?

[chris_ph2]

Sounds exactly the same noise as my 2001 vtr, i have had this noise since owning it. Still have not traced my problem, on mine it does sound like a heat shield is loose or something and clattering against something else. But i have checked all over and can still not find a prob? :n:

sounds about right yeah well hopefully this might solve it for both of us!

Dar-Bar_Vtr
you could try the driverside engine mount? if its broken it knocks, couldn't see it being the clutch release bearing? unless is it louder when u slightly press down on the clutch?

engine mount seems the most likely cause as clutch movement doesn't make a difference. plus i've heard the mounts are prone to going! will have a look tomorrow and let you know

cheers, chris :Y:

[Jake86]

I had what sounds a simlar problem and mine was that the baffles in my centre section had gone and were rattling. It only really did it at certain rev ranges too and would stop once I got up to speed and was just cruising. It would rattle if I revved it whilst stationary.

[chris_ph2]

well i've had a poke round today without much luck

exhaust manifold heat shield has no movement

checked out a mount on the driver's side (between the ecu and cambelt) but to be honest it was hard to tell by looking if anything was wrong with it. bit of a restricted view but everything looked ok

tried shaking the engine in a few places and couldn't get it rattling

will have to see does the local citroen specialist fancy a quick passenger ride tomorrow and see can he help identify the noise! as i know it's hard to say without actually hearing it

[chris_ph2]

right, turns out it's pinking :n:

car is always run on optimax

only engine mods are a pipercross open cone filter and superchip (it all makes sense now!!), which were both done by the previous owner who is a mate. so will try and find out at what point the noise began

i've got the original airbox so hopefully fitting that will sort it! i've got the standard map aswell. hopefully won't be needed though...

cheers, chris :)

[Lozza_vtr]

Wondering if this is going to be my problem too. It does sound identical to yours.

Just wondering if there is a pinking sensor on the vtr?

[chris_ph2]

yeah pretty sure there's a knock sensor on them which is trying to correct the problem, which is why the noise is quite intermittent through the rev range. comes and goes a bit plus the frequency changes

what engine mods you got lozza..? as mine are likely culprits!

[chris_ph2]

right i've chucked the o/e airbox back in today and it's sorted it! no more pinking :y:

seems to idle better aswell

just been for a quick drive and i bloody love it. standard airbox, standard exhaust. ideal for going quick without all the disapproving looks!

will be investing in an enclosed kit at some point though :)