Rattle Underneath

Just got back from a week in Wales (which included some great mountain lanes, fords and big muddy puddles!) and noticed while I was away there is a little rattle coming from underneath. It's noticable when pulling away in 1st or reverse (ie Engaging gears with few revs) and sounds just like a heat shield rattle I had on an Escort years ago. Doesn't do it (or can't be heard) when moving at higher speeds.

I've had a look underneath and cannot see anything. Anyone got any ideas what it could be or what I should check?

Cheers

Rog

If you went through some deep muddy puddles it might have moved the exhaust, I did the same thing a week ago at Peterboro offroad course, I just moved the rubber hangers back to the centre of the hooks & it stopped the rattle. Other possibilities are the undertray, if it's the standard one they aren't up to much & it might have been damaged,

Thanks for the reply - That sounds exacty like the noise. However, I've just had a look underneath and all the rubber bits of the exhaust are where they should be. I've given the exhaust a bit of a shake and no rattles can be heard.

I don't think it would be the undertray as the puddles were big but not deep. It might well have been rattling before I went to Wales but the weather's not been good enough to have the windows open so I wouldn't have heard it anyway!

Cheers

Rog

check the metal pipes that run along the firewall/bulkhead in the engine bay, mine came out there clips, and it sounded like it was coming from underneathy!

Check exhaust bracket that bolt bolts to gearbox..... mine had a crack. Difficult to see, you need to use a torch/light to see. Not easy to see crack..... only after several attempts did we spot it. Did not make a noise when you shook the exhaust, but sounded like a loose heat sheild when you drive at certain revs.... when engine labours a bit.

Right. Lots of prodding and poking done and the rattle tracked down to the back box. Sounds like a marble rattling round inside. Could this be something in there that shouldn't be or is it simply busted inside? If it is busted, anyone know the rough cost of a rear section on a TD4?

Cheers

Rog

rriggs said:

Right. Lots of prodding and poking done and the rattle tracked down to the back box. Sounds like a marble rattling round inside. Could this be something in there that shouldn't be or is it simply busted inside? If it is busted, anyone know the rough cost of a rear section on a TD4?

Cheers

Rog

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You could have a 'loose baffle' caused by wear and tear. Exhaust backbox is not that pricey - plenty on ebay for about £27.

If you're going to be doin lots of offroading why not take the oportunity to get rid of it altogether & fit a straight through pipe, lots of Freelander owners are doing this now

G13SJC said:

You could have a 'loose baffle' caused by wear and tear. Exhaust backbox is not that pricey - plenty on ebay for about £27.

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yup 'loose baffle' sounds good. usually worse on deceleration...

matacaibo said:

If you're going to be doin lots of offroading why not take the oportunity to get rid of it altogether & fit a straight through pipe, lots of Freelander owners are doing this now

Click to expand...

Can this be done on a petrol version?? Would it be too noisy??

I have a stainless system off a Rover 220 which is almost identical to the front section when rotated through 180 degrees. - Even the cat flange is the same.

The only headache is the backbox which could be simplified by a straigh piece of pipe.

Any sensible ideas welcomed....

Thanks

Steve

G13SJC said:

Can this be done on a petrol version?? Would it be too noisy??

I have a stainless system off a Rover 220 which is almost identical to the front section when rotated through 180 degrees. - Even the cat flange is the same.

The only headache is the backbox which could be simplified by a straigh piece of pipe.

Any sensible ideas welcomed....

Thanks

Steve

Click to expand...

Dunno what ya calls sensible but YouTube - Mad Freelander You Bet it is

nigel8 said:

yup 'loose baffle' sounds good. usually worse on deceleration...

Click to expand...

I have a similar noise problem which is worse on deceleration but if i dip the clutch the noise go's. Would this rule out the "loose baffle theory" and so causing it to be something else ?

Just been down to Kwik-Fit to get a quote on a new back box and they have given a very reasonable price but the back box that they want to fit only has one tailpipe. My current backbox has twin tailpipes. I think that this is porbably just the difference between the genuine LR part and the Timax they quoted for but I don't want them to fit it if it's going to affect performance at all. Any advice?

(PS - The other tyre/exhaust centre nearby quoted for the same Timax unit)

Cheers

Rog

Problem solved!

I decided I better get it looked at properly as my MOT is iminent just in case anything that's rattling about could affect the emissions part of the test. Thought it unlikely but didn't want to find out on test day!

Anyway, went down to Supertyres as Kwik-Fit was busy and my local ATS have been really rubbish in the past. They stuck the Freebie onto a ramp and had a good poke, prod and shake of the exhaust. Even from the waiting room I could hear the rattle so knew it wouldn't come back "no fault found". Half and hour went by and three different guys all had a look and a listen. The guy from reception calls me through and tells me that the cat has broken up and some of the honeycomb has been spat into the silencer. He quoted me £289 for replacement of the cat and silencer.

Gutted, I left and decided to see if Kwik-Fit were any quieter for a second opinion and alternative quote - Now that three hundred quid was involved it has just got serious! Kwik-Fit was still packed so I thought I'd give ATS a punt as all I wanted was a quote. Drove in and straight onto a ramp (the place was empty as usual - what does that tell you about their service?). About 30 seconds after I sat down in the waiting room the guy comes through to show me the stone he found in the little protector between the mid-silencer and the rear pipe.

That's ATS redeemed and Supertyres in the dog house. Just goes to show how much a second opinion is actually worth!

Cheers

Rog

Result

brill news ;0