Tinny Rattle - Possibly Speedo Cable?

[stutto 0]

As above - does this sound right? Seems to increase in volume with amount of right boot rather than being related to speed.

 

It stops as soon as you come off the power, I can't notice it at constant speed or when parked up and blipping throttle.

 

I am just hoping that the subframe brace fouling the manifold has not cracked it.

[Richie-Van-GTi 72 2 Cars]

severe pinking?

[stutto 0]

I am thinking now that it may be the lip of the centre box rattling against the floorpan. I hadn't realised how much higher the centre section is sitting since I fitted poly rear hangers.

 

Could I glue on a small bit of rubber sheet to dampen it down?

[GLPoomobile 958]

Stating the obvious, but if it's not related to speed then it won't be your speedo. If it was, you could easily test by getting up to speed, cutting the engine and coasting, and see if you can still hear it. My speedo ticks very faintly (difficult to hear over all the other noises).

 

I'm not sure that sticking rubber in close proximity to the exhaust is a good idea. You could get one of those heat reflective self adhesive sheets instead, as they are usually about 1cm thick and sort of squishy. But why not try bending the hangers first to see if you can make some space?

[stutto 0]

GLP - you were right the new cable has steadied the needle but the sound is still there.

 

I can't see anything else loose or interfering so my culprit of the week is the 'cheap' GSF exhaust gaskets. I've ordered a new set from Peugeot today and they were not that much more expensive - about 11p each before VAT. There is more carbon around the 'filling' bit of the gasket for cylinder 1 than I think is healthy. I am not sure what this material is, perhaps it has de-laminated?

 

If it does turn out to be this I will try my best to get a refund from GSF. The last set I had from there were fine, though.

[Richie-Van-GTi 72 2 Cars]

confused now, are you saying the rattle is the exhaust gaskets? They would fall apart very quickly and blow away if they had enough over hang and flexibility to rattle. Have you checked the downpipe? If its the type with section inside to split down the centre you need to check this hasnt broken away as that would cause the noise you describe. If its only when actually driving though it is unlikely and more likely something fouling when the engine twists on its mounts under load. Uprated mounts would cure that rattle but possibly cause others

[stutto 0]

I am confused too, but since I have run out of ideas I am going to change the exhaust gaskets and see what happens.

 

The manifold is a four branch, I have put my hands around the welds at idle and I can't feel any blowing. I realise that the knuckle is another possible culprit.

[stutto 0]

I don't think it was the exhaust gaskets. I have changed them anyway as I did not like how much carbon was on them, I don't think that they sealed very well. If you have the option my recommendation would be to fit genuine ones.

 

Anyway once I had the car on axle stands I noticed that the one of the knuckle springs had gone. I greased the knuckle and fitted a universal spring, I can't hear the noise now. The spring was present when I started the thread. Maybe it had rusted and become too soft.

 

Edit:

Since speedo cable is in the title I'll make an addition:

 

Whilst looking at speedo cables, I searched and no-one gave a 100% conclusive answer as to which is the right length cable. IIRC I read a post which suggested that the longer option was too long, maybe this was not a 205 cable. My car is a 1.9 8v.

 

The first cable I bought off a well known auction site was 900mm, the listing had a table of fitments and I read it as OK. This was too short. Whilst it will physically reach from cluster to gearbox, the gear linkage fouled it when changing. It also did not have the rubber ball that squeezes into the bulkhead.

 

Again, buy genuine (and the longer length). Since my last cable had worn through in a couple of places I have shielded it using 9mm convoluted conduit.

Edited December 12, 2009 by stutto