Ford Focus (1998 - 2004) - 02 2.0 Engine Noise / Gearbox Rattle? | Technical matters | Back Room Forum

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Mon 17 Nov 2008 10:24

02 2.0 Engine Noise / Gearbox Rattle? - agvonline

Hi

I have a problem with my Focus 2.0 (52 plate, 48k, FSH). I have only recently bought the car and the problem has started in the last three weeks.

(For reference, it sounds identical to this youtube vid, which was posted by honestjohn user djmontara. See: www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPYxoFwG5io )

I find the noise is much worse when the car is fully warmed up, although I can hear it from cold, although not as obvious.
If you let the car idle when hot, it sits at 700rpm steadily. If you tap the accelerator there is a rattle from the near side of the engine compartment, as if below the air box. If you accelerate smoothly there is no rattle. Next, if you depress the clutch and tap the accelerator, there is no rattle. This got me thinking that the problem is the input shaft bearing on the gearbox. Does this sound plausible to anyone? (Strangly, if you depress the clutch and accelerate to say 2000rpm and then release the clutch, there doesn't seems to be a rattle as the gearbox engages, which I might have expected.)

The same noise appears when the car is under load when driving, say dropping down to 3rd gear to take a corner. Or when accelerating away from standing (although you can 'accelerate out' of the noise once over 2000ish RPM). At first I thought it was pinking, so I have changed the plugs and cleaned the MAF. I havn't had ford check for any diagnostic messages yet, mainly because I can't afford to. But the engine management light is not on and the car starts and drives ok other than this noise.

Any ideas appreciated.

Andy.

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