Help Diagnosing A Rattle Please

[Rob Thomson 6]

My 1.6 has been rattling at me for the last few weeks. It sounds like the exhaust touching a heat-shield, i.e. very tinny rattle, but it's not. It only occurs between 3,000 - 3,500 rpm, but that's exactly the rev range I use for pottering about when it's not being thrashed. The noise occurs mostly under power and refuses to occur when the car's stationary which is making finding the cause a little tricky.

 

I've spent ages poking around but can't find anything that could cause this rattle. Any ideas? Internal exhaust problem? Internal engine problem...?

 

Thanks, Rob.

[Anthony 1,003]

Does your engine have the old style metal upper cambelt cover? If so, they're notorious for strange tinny rattling sounds...

[Rob Thomson 6]

Yeah it does actually. And when I tap it it does sound a bit rattly, but not quite rattly enough to rattle at the volume I'm experiencing... but I guess it is just behind the steering wheel. I'll take the bugger off and see what happens.

 

Incidentally, do the later plastic covers fit straight on or are the haeds (etc) different?

 

Thanks for the idea.