mechanical rattle in 5th gear

Hi All,

We picked our Freelander on Friday and I have a mechanical rattle/ticking noise from somewhere when the engine is under load and only in 5th gear.

To create the symptons, you just have to put your foot down in 5th below 2,000 revs - or maybe climbing a hill at 2,500 revs - i.e. at anytime there is load on the engine/drivetrain. It wont do it in any other gear even planting your foot in 4th at 20mph etc.

I am calling the garage this afternoon but does it sound familiar to anyone? The dealer we bought it from is a Ford franchise and would be good to give them somewhere to look.

Other than that, the car is great and really enjoying it!

what model freelander is it?

jedi said:

what model freelander is it?

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Its a 2004 1.8 SE - so the revs are quite low being a petrol. Its not an engine noise though, or at least I dont think it is as it only happens in 5th gear.

My wife has done 100 miles over the last 2 days and she has not heard it but I have just taken it out and its still there - she obviously doesnt put her foot down far enough or had the radio on too loud

Just a quick update! Its going into the dealer on Wednesday for a new clutch to be fitted as the clutch pedal is very stiff and its becoming difficult to change gear.

They think its related as the clutch plate is rattling under load and although its not slipping yet it rattles when you would expect it to start to slip.

Will have to wait and see what happens when the clutch has been done.

Bit of a funny story for a Monday afternoon though - the stealer first of all told us the stiff clutch and rattle was a characteristic of the car. I refused to take their courtesy car back until they gave me a proper answer - to which they said come in and show us the faults then.

I went down and asked for the workshop manager, who instantly said the clutch was knackered so would be replaced. I then took him for a drive to replicate the rattle - he heard it and said....it sounds like diesel knock or noise from the injectors. You should have seen his face when I pointed out that its a petrol :doh::doh:

I got a diesel L-series and have a similar noise under 2000 rpm. A friend also has a diesel L-series and has the same noise under load. We have it in both 4th and 5th gear. I have heard a few complaints of this nature and no solution. A theory put forward is that it is the IRD rattling....... I had the noise with prop on and prop off (mondo mode). Made no difference.

heat shield on the exhaust can be a common cause. as it ages the fixing bolts rust a bit allowing the shield to rattle.

Exactly the problem I have OP, my heat sheild has come off on the turbo side. rattles nicely. Got to figure out how to fix it.

Darmain said:

Exactly the problem I have OP, my heat sheild has come off on the turbo side. rattles nicely. Got to figure out how to fix it.

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Mine does sound exactly like a loose heat shield - I hope it is something as simple!

At least I am getting a new clutch fitted for the other problem anyway - I will mention to the garage whilst they have it on the ramps to check the heat shields for any cracks or loose fitting!

Will get there in the end!

Darmain said:

Exactly the problem I have OP, my heat sheild has come off on the turbo side. rattles nicely. Got to figure out how to fix it.

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stainless steel cable ties would solve it, may seem like a bodge, but works perfectly well, just do them up with a pair of pliers, cut the excess off and bend the end over. It hasn't got to fix it, just stop it from rattling.

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