44 replies to this topic

[Little Miss B]

Hey all

There is a intermittent rattling noise come from somewhere under the bonnet. It's not there in idle and comes on at various revs. A garage told me that it might be the little end and that it was an expensive job because of labour. However I'm not sure if the garage was trying to get more work out of us and whether it was something else less expensive that didn't involve removing the engine and taking 2-3 days as quoted. Any suggestions for me to investigate would be appreciated! Thanks!

[Pauly]

What type of rattling noise is it? Metal on metal, gear rattle?

Could be something silly like the stone guards on the disk brakes.

Paul.

[Little Miss B]

Hi Pauly

The noise is definitely not in idle, and is intermittent when there is load. Its a fairly tinny rattling (possibly spinning) sound, I’m 99% sure it sounds like metal on metal.
The gearlever is relatively loose (it is a 4-speed, 1987 so has always been fairly loose), but it definitely sounds like its coming from under the bonnet as opposed to near the gearbox.

The mechanic said it could be the little-end or possibly the cam-follower (?)

Any help?

What type of rattling noise is it? Metal on metal, gear rattle?

Could be something silly like the stone guards on the disk brakes.

Paul.

[bmcecosse]

Little ends ?????????? Get another garage - quick! What engine is in the car?
Sounds like 'pinking' to me ! Put some top quality petrol in the tank - and see if it goes away. You may also need to retard the ignition timing slightly.

[Little Miss B]

Interesting. The garage was a specialist mini garage. I was initially doubting it anyway.
I'll try the petrol trick; as for the engine, its a non-standard, 1275 that has been bored out to a 1330, she has an old cooper carburettor, stage 2 tuned.
We had also just had probs with the points and points condenser, so that the plugs and leads are all new, hoping that means her timing should be okay?

[bmcecosse]

Timing is best set by advancing till it 'pinks' - then retarding slightly. I have NEVER heard of a Mini engine having 'little end' problems ! Sure they didn't say 'BIG ends ' ??

Edited by bmcecosse, 22 August 2009 - 08:31 PM.

[Little Miss B]

Well, he first mentioned big ends, but as there is no noise in idle and its an intermittent noise he thought not, then when he got his boss over he agreed ... not the big ends then!!
Thanks for the advice on the engine timing — will look into it.

[m1tch]

Mine rattles as if it was metal to metal....are you still running the top box with the hot air/cold air flapper?

Edited by m1tch, 22 August 2009 - 08:32 PM.

[bmcecosse]

Top quality petrol first!

[Little Miss B]

Sorry I”m a girl (blush) and not so technical (my boyfriend is working on the car too, but he doesn’t know what that is too).
I can take a picture of the engine tomorrow, if that would help ... if you can describe it better I might know!

[m1tch]

Sorry I”m a girl (blush) and not so technical (my boyfriend is working on the car too, but he doesn’t know what that is too).
I can take a picture of the engine tomorrow, if that would help ... if you can describe it better I might know!

Ok when you open the bonnet does it have a large round plastic box sitting on the top of the engine? If so, there is a metalic bit plugged into it, there is a flap that moves up and down to give hot or cold air to the carburettor, this can sometimes wobble and cause the metal/metal noise you can hear. This can be removed by undoing the clip and pulling it out.

You can see the part where it goes into in this pic (mine has been removed)



You can see it in this photo in silver:

Edited by m1tch, 22 August 2009 - 08:40 PM.

[m1tch]

Another option for the rattle might be the bonnet stay - mine rattled a bit so I sorted it with some silicone vac hose

[Little Miss B]

Hey Mitch.

Thanks for that, she has a non-standard carburettor (cooper), so the filter has been pushed back behind the carburettor.
Is the part your mentioning either 1 or 2 in this pic (or neither!)

Thanks

Attached Files

•  mini_engine.jpg   223.15K   20 downloads

[m1tch]

Hey Mitch.

Thanks for that, she has a non-standard carburettor (cooper), so the filter has been pushed back behind the carburettor.
Is the part your mentioning either 1 or 2 in this pic (or neither!)

Thanks

Part 2, if you have an aftermarket filter then that won't be there hmm is it only under load? could it be tappets (if the rockers aren't adjusted correctly you get a clicking sound)

Its amazing how everyones mini seems to have different rattles hehe

Perhaps check that the bonnet stay isn't rattling around?

Edited by m1tch, 22 August 2009 - 09:25 PM.

[Little Miss B]

Will definitely check the bonnet stay tomorrow.
Yeah it's funny how everyone's mini seems to have some kind of rattle
I'm very aware that some people take advantage of owner of older cars claiming for more expensive problems etc that's why I'm keen to isolate the problem.

Yes it is underload when it happens, she runs very quietly with no odd noises when in idle and when you ease the accelerator. The rattling is a loose sounding rattling, sounding fairly tinny, its doesn't sound like a knocking sound more like something is moving around.