Rover 25 (1999 - 2005) - 03 1.6 rattling when driving

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Tue 28 Jul 2009 19:11
03 1.6 rattling when driving - argybargy
This good old Rover 25 again.
My son bought it around four weeks ago; by and large a good car it turns out to be, no thanks to the ******** of a dealer.
However...theres an annoying but occasional rattle which seems to be coming from underneath the car whilst driving. I reckoned at first that it was the exhaust, but my son took it to a fast fit centre and was assured that the exhaust was fine (it must be if they didnt insist on replacing the entire system), and that there appeared to be some issue associated with a sloppy gearstick, which the mechanic said was uncharacteristic of Rovers. The car changes gear just fine, there havent been any instances of it jumping out of gear, but the stick is very slack whilst engaged. I know its almost impossible to accurately diagnose these things without actually listening to them, but could the rattle possibly be related to something being awry with the gear mechanism? And if so, is it worth investigating, or given that the gears seem to be working fine should we leave well alone unless the problem escalates?
Ta in advance.
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Tue 28 Jul 2009 20:24
03 1.6 rattling when driving - ED731PDH
What's the emissions like? Just wondering if the cat is breaking up in the exhaust system.

Some detective work I suspect, things like exhaust shield make a noise, so do loose or rotted through fuel tank straps as the tank bounces around. Engine mounts, are they secure and not worn? Check inside the boot area, nobody left any stones or large marbles under the spare wheel (kiddies fave). Open each door and give it a rapid shake, could be something loose in there.

Process of annoying elimination.
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Fri 31 Jul 2009 19:33
03 1.6 rattling when driving - argybargy
There is an exhaust shield on the manifold, and having had a similar problem with a Punto I suspected that straight away, but I temporarily packed it to prevent any movement and the noise remained.
Doors seem OK, spare wheel well is clear, havent had a chance to look at the fuel tank yet but your suggestion of the cat breaking up bears examination, even though its only just passed an MOT. Ive had the car serviced and knowing the mechanic well as I do, he would almost certainly have mentioned the engine mounts if they'd been an issue. I still reckon its down to some part of the exhaust, but to be honest I think my lad is content to live with the rattle unless it gets a lot more obtrusive or causes more serious issues to arise. Thanks for your answer anyhow. :0)

Edited by argybargy on 31/07/2009 at 19:34

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Fri 31 Jul 2009 19:38
03 1.6 rattling when driving - Armitage Shanks {p}
Loose/broken baffles in the exhaust?
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Wed 23 Sep 2009 23:35
03 1.6 rattling when driving - argybargy
Could be--and sorry for taking almost two months to reply to your post. An exhaust fitter did check the cat for security and said it was hunky dory, but I'm not convinced its as sound as he made out.
Guess the next MOT may well make things clearer.
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Wed 23 Sep 2009 23:44
03 1.6 rattling when driving - bell boy
i blame the ******** of a dealer.(your words OP )
obviously he put the heavy geabies on such a fine machine as this likkle ole rover
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Wed 23 Sep 2009 23:58
03 1.6 rattling when driving - argybargy

Funny thing is BB, once you learn to ignore a whole host of annoying but fairly minor problems you realise that it drives really well; though as you'll see from another post on here rattling isnt our only current issue.
One lives and learns. :0(
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Fri 10 Sep 2010 09:06
03 1.6 rattling when driving - argybargy

Very late update again....the rattling got much worse, so bad that I was forced to get my own hands dirty and stick my head under the bonnet. Lo and behold it turned out to be the heat shield over the manifold at the front of the engine, something which I'd discounted at first.

Removed it, result--no rattle.

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