Hi guys,

Over the last few days, i have had a rattle emerge. It sounds like it is coming from underneath the car, from the exhaust, nearer the front of the car, but i cant be sure. It doesnt rattle at idle, only when i rev the car and once the engine is past 2500 revs, the rattle is gone again!

So its only in low revs, and it seems to disappear when i have been driving around for a few mins (eg. when a certain part warms up... cos the engine can sit there idling forever and getting hot and it will still do it, its only after i've been driving for a period it goes away.)

Any ideas where this rattling could be coming from? I'm tempted to take it to a mechanic/shop to get it checked out, any places i can get it diagnosed for free? I'm on the Mornington Peninsula (Vic).

Thanks guys, you rock.

EDIT - I just remembered something else, is it normal for your engine to move quite substantially back and forward when engaging the clutch? I had the hood open today trying to hear where the noise was coming from, and i was engaging the clutch and there was heaps more engine movement than i would have expected. (Keeping in mind i dont exactly look at cars, with bonnets open, with their clutches being engaged/disengaged very often) :badgrin:

The heatshields around the front pipes - they're behind the engine - hard to see except from underneath - have a habit of developing a rattle such as you describe. Mitsu dealers know about this and they have a trick of sticking a screwdriver into the shields and bending them slightly in a few strategic places. They did this to mine when I complained of a similar rattle when I last had it at a dealer getting something done - Voila - noise gone permanently.

So my suggestion is the next time you're at a dealer for something - put rattling exhaust heatshields on the list - its a no charger.

thanks for that mate, i shall do just that - i tell you wat, in the last 2 days, SO many little things have been going wrong with my car - this rattle is just getting worse and worse. I had a brake guy come in and change my brake pads (im lazy) but he removed a twig that was caught between the disc and the guard.... now something metal on metal is rubbing in that area when i turn left. :doubt: so now, i cannot drive my car without hearing all these metal on metal sounds and me cringing, I JUST WANT THEM TO GO AWAY!!

Thankgod they're not causing damage, just annoying as all hell :cool:

P.S - In case you're wondering why i said SO many little things, another is: Tonight, I was reversing up a REALLY steep driveway, concentrating on the clutch work and listening to my mate crap on, and i didnt notice the bumper height fence coming up behind me... didnt hit hard enough to crack, but scraped a lot of paint off the bumper. NOT HAPPY!!

For the rattle, do a search. There is a known problem near the o2 sensor with a flap of metal coming loose in the header pipe area.

Sorry for the gibberish but you should be able to find the reference easy enough.

The brake noise sounds a bit suss, especially after your brakes were just done. :shock:

does the sound go away when you put your foot on the clutch.

I have a rattle/knocking sound coming from the transmission. Found it to be a stuffed release bearing (throwout bearing)

Also check your engine mounts, especially if you are getting alot of engine movement.
They tend to make all sorts of noises when they are stuffed.

Mulga has hit the nail on the head ... do a search the exhaust has a few rattles to be found ;) !! :)

hey there guys,
sorry i didnt get back to you all, ive been flat out - thanks for the info, turns out its my catalyctic converter which is like 280 bucks to replace, does this sound bout right? ugh, i hate stupid little things that cost a heap of money!!