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MG MGF Technical - Buzzy Rattle behind drivers head

Hi Guys,

Follow-up (ish) thread to one I posted a few weeks ago. Unfortunately no definate solution as yet.

I've got a rattle (for a few weeks now) that seems to eminate from behind the drivers head. First thought was that it is the engine bay cover rattling, but driving car without it, and it still happens. It:

*Only noticably occurs whilst moving
*Can be slightly noticed at idle, but normally only after car has been moving first
*Can vary with engine RPM when moving (buzzing gets faster/slower in line with revs)
*Can still be heard when moving with the engine in neutral, and when engine is switched off
*Can't be heard from the engine bay, seems to only be audible within the car.

I've found a few posts in the archive that seem to describe this same noise, but with no appropriate solutions posted, and none recently. I was wondering if anyone knows what's mounted/bolted behind the driver between the engine in that sort of area, possibly hood mounting bolts etc? It does sound like rattling trim, and susceptible to engine vibration through the subframe rather than an engine problem.

Regards,

Leigh
Leigh Reid

Leigh I have a similiar noise although mine is more of a buzz. I tracked it down to the accelorator linkage on the T.B . If its the same as me it will disappear if you rest your foot on the accelerator cable......then again I may be a million miles away from your cause :-(
D Jamieson

A few ideas...

Rattle occurs on the move mainly, so could be suspension mounts? Or engine mounts? Another possibility is clutch release bearing? Or loose trim behind the driver? Had the 'T' bar off and couldn't see anything. Maybe petrol tank?

Anyone experience any of the above?

Leigh

Leigh Reid

Another few...
Handbrake cable fixture in chassis clamp just below the filler hose. One of the gear cables is attached there as well.
If the clamp is loose, then pull off the cables, turn right the clamp until it's ticght and pu back cables.

btw, are you sure it isn't the rear window zip puller thingy pinking to the softtop frame ?

Next to look at is the silencer box, or the damn flexy pipe.

Another one could be any of the several plastic pipes running at the inner side of the engine bay. Should all be fitted with plastic clamps (Hydragas lines, brake pipes, vacuum pipe, bonnet cable i.e.)

;) I know such unknown noise can drive you nuts ;)

Dieter
Dieter K.

Leigh,

I had a rattle that seemed to come from behind the drivers head and sounded like a cable hitting bodywork - a tinkly metallic noise. It seemed to co-incide with slight bumps and jolts to the car, initially re-inforcing my thoughts about a loose cable or piece of trim.

All attempts to trace it failed - taping up everything that moved or removing everything that I could think of, left the noise in place.

Eventually, it developed so that I could reproduce it by bouncing the car up and down. Some people on this board will remember me jumping wildly up and down on the drivers door sill in the car park at a Luton meet to demonstrate the noise!

It turned out to be a small crack in the bodyshell - near, but not directly at the point where the top of the damper is mounted. Once located, you could just get your hand in to the area of the bodywork and make it squeak with a forceful tug.

With a bit of welding it dissapeared. However, it has since re-appeared and is growing again.

If my symptoms sound like yours, you may want to do the mad sill bounce to check it out.

HTH

Dave
Dave

Hi guys,

> or the damn flexy pipe.

Yep, that's making a noise, however I know what that one sounds like, and it makes it when it's moving and not moving!

It's trying to describe the sound that's the problem. You know the noise you get from the synchromesh when you put the car in reverse, don't get it right in, and bring the clutch up? This noise is like a quiet version of that, but linked to engine speed, though still noticable when engine is off and moving.

Might try getting a tape recorder out at the weekend, then digitising it. It would probably be interesting to drive past someone and see if they can hear it.

Leigh
Leigh Reid

Or get off the engine cover and take an acrobatic co-driver to look for the direction while driving.
Just an idea.
Dieter K.

Leigh,

I had exactly the same noise you describe, and, as Deiter suggests, it was the rear window zipper tag rubbing against the hood frame.

Good luck!

Sam
Sam Murray

Hi Guys,

Rear window tag makes a pink rather than a rattle. Hope to get some second opinions on Sunday so will hopefully be able to quantify it better after then!

Leigh
Leigh Reid

Chaps,

This may sound stupid but the door lock stalk thingy rattles in my new TF. Took me some time to find what it was but it defintely is that silly bit of plastic. I guess it's worth a look at MS web site to see if these things can be replaced.

Has anybody else got the same problem?

David
David Grant

Yep, rattles in mine too! Unfortunately trim rattles in my car have also generally gotten worse since I removed the 'T' bar for a gander behind there. On the plus side, I realised when I replaced the 'T' bar after fitting the windstop, I'd done it wrong.

Didn't realise those little red buttons had to be pulled out and re-attached to the 'T' bar before refitting.

Leigh
Leigh Reid

Suggested I try the fan behind the drivers air intake (cheers Mike / David), so will post my findings.
Leigh Reid

Have you had a T-bar off, then check that there is a part number sticker on it. Mine was half peeled, and it was making rattling noise like hell!

Just rip it off, and it was gone...

Good luck.
Hanah Kim

This thread was discussed between 08/04/2003 and 15/04/2003

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