M.O.T Bad news or VERY bad news?

[GemGTI]

Thanks Phil, and yes I do usually have a silly smile on my face when I'm driving! Especially when people stop and stare! Its definately a head turner. Juat wish it had a stronger chassis! Thanks for comments though, greatly appreciated.

[GemGTI]

Just got my car back!! But why does it always feel like a different car when you get it back after someone else has had it? There is a really loud rattling noise when idling. There was before it went in but now its even louder! Anyway he did me a really good deal on the labour as he'd my brother in laws uncle. £60 labour! not bad at all considering it took him a day to do the welding! £500 total so I suppose thats good but what the hell is the rattle?!!

[Phil303]

If it's coming from under the car and not the engine bay, it may be loose exhaust brackets. Easy to fix. Linked to this it could be a loose exhaust manifold heatshield - over time the bolts holding this on rust through and as a result it starts knocking. Awkward to get at the bolts but repairable never the less and not catastrophic.*

Or it may be baffles in your exhaust system - they break off and fly around inside the exhaust. Is it worse when running rather than idling?





*Don't quote me on that.

[GemGTI]

Its definately coming from the engine bay. It has always rattled a bit when idling but now its really noticable and i can even hear it slightly when running too??

[Agreeable Slick]

Does it disappear when you depress the clutch? If so then its the clutch release bearing.

[Madone_si]

I think I know what this is - if you can hear it inside the car at idle.... the fuel filter just behind the battery - sits in a clamp and this moves and rattles against the body work - I bet if you open the bonnet and pull it together the engine - the ratting will stop - this happens when the clamp get a little loss - just tighten it up....

[GemGTI]

Thanks ill try that. I hope thats all it is. The noise quietens when I accelerate as I slow down it gets louder and very loud when stood in traffic.

[Madone_si]

Take your foot of the pedal might help!!!   

[Danr]

Anyway he did me a really good deal on the labour as he'd my brother in laws uncle. £60 labour! not bad at all considering it took him a day to do the welding! £500 total so I suppose thats good

Thats not bad got my car today with a £1500 bill from dubsport 

[de3660]

this is exactly what i fear for my next MOT, ive woken up thinking about this from a dream and it really annoys me.
I dont know if mine is too good either, only time will tell. Its my only car and i want to keep it as long as possible.