GrahamClarke Posted July 10, 2003 Share Posted July 10, 2003 My R400 has developed a high pitched sort of "tinkling/rattling" noise. Sort of sounds like a piece of metal has worked loose and is vibrating. This is noticeable from about 2500rpm upwards, whether the car is stationary in neutral or travelling down the road. Car goes in for a service and to be flat floored next week and I've asked them to look, however I'm not sure how much effort they will expend trying to identify it. Any suggestions as to what it may be and where to look? (I'm not particularly mechanically capable, so in simpleton terms would be good!) Graham Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Green Posted July 10, 2003 Share Posted July 10, 2003 Spark plug cover is the first easy thing to check that springs to mind... An extra washer or two should sort it, if it is the cause. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prs Posted July 10, 2003 Share Posted July 10, 2003 Graham, I had a very similar noise several weeks ago, took ages to narrow it down but it turned out to be the twin horns touching. I must have nudged them whilst fitting an Apollo tank, have a look. Phil S7SVN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scooby dooby doo Posted July 10, 2003 Share Posted July 10, 2003 if it does it when stationary then get an assistant to hold the revs up and then you can wonder around and try to localise it. plug cover is a favourite though. as are things like a washer or set of keys under the seat rattling on the floor. HOOPY R706KGU Hoopylight R Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrahamClarke Posted July 10, 2003 Author Share Posted July 10, 2003 Thanks all, good advice. I'll start with the spark plug cover. Hoopy, definitely not a set of keys. If this was the case, either I wouldn't be able to start my Seven, or I wouldn't have been able to get into my house Graham Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myles Posted July 10, 2003 Share Posted July 10, 2003 I've got a similar transient rattle - sounds like a loose ali panel (I originally thought it was the silencer shield, but this is tight). I now suspect the 'half undertray' ali pannel fitted under the nose - but I'll try the spark cover too. Don't suppose it could be anything *in* the silencer could it (it sounds like coming from that direction - but this could be deceptive... Regds, Myles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrahamClarke Posted July 10, 2003 Author Share Posted July 10, 2003 Myles, Interesting - I too thought the sound was emanating from the exhaust, but nothing appeared loose. If (hopefully when) I figure out what it is, I'll post it here in case you have the same problem. Graham Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myles Posted July 10, 2003 Share Posted July 10, 2003 Thanks - that would be helpful. Regds, Myles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisddl Posted July 11, 2003 Share Posted July 11, 2003 Graham, from what you describe it sounds very similar to the rattle I get from the exhaust. I have tracked it down to the heat shield which when removed or when foot pressure is applied to the shield the rattle stops (only do the foot thing with the car stationary). No matter how tight the worm drive clips are done up makes no difference. I have resorted to several layers of glass tape wrapped around the silencer in the areas where the retaining clips are located and it does help a bit. I mentioned this prob to Caterham when the car was being serviced and their reply was ''re-new the clips''. Have not tried that one as yet, but ingnoring it does work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Woods Posted July 11, 2003 Share Posted July 11, 2003 Throttle cable vibrating onto the underside of the bonnet ? Nick P8MRA - Red and Black 1.6K supersport I dont believe in Fate, but I do believe in Sh*t, because Sh*t happens - here and here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrahamClarke Posted July 11, 2003 Author Share Posted July 11, 2003 Thanks, I'll try all of these. Maybe I should just pick the car up, shake it a bit and see if anything falls off Graham Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Woods Posted July 11, 2003 Share Posted July 11, 2003 only do that if you have a large tarpaulin to catch all the bits... 😬 Nick P8MRA - Red and Black 1.6K supersport I dont believe in Fate, but I do believe in Sh*t, because Sh*t happens - here and here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myles Posted July 11, 2003 Share Posted July 11, 2003 Graham, Still not tracked mine down yet - but the transient does seem to occur at about 2.5k. If I gently rev up in neutral to this zone and then let the revs fall back, the rattle is most prominent on the downside past 2.5k - although I can hear it on the rising curve too. Haven't been able to find the exact resonant freq. Regds, Myles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myles Posted July 12, 2003 Share Posted July 12, 2003 Sorted! Nick Woods - my rattle was indeed the throttle cable against the bonnet. I've made an initial fix by loosely tie-wrapping the cable to the diagonal chassis member just before it starts to curve up to the throttle pot. This lowered the top of the cable by 5mm or so and kept it (temporarily at least) from touching the bonnet. Thanks and regds, Myles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrahamClarke Posted July 14, 2003 Author Share Posted July 14, 2003 10/10 to Nick Green , both for being right AND the first to reply! It was indeed the spark plug cover, one of the bolts needed under 1/4 turn to stop the rattle. Graham Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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