Engine Rattle Rattling

[alfaromeo69]

Hi Guys, I have a 01' Boxster, 160k's. The problem I have is that when the car heats up a little (or sometimes when slightly warm) there is a rattle sound coming from the engine compartment. A freind of mine is a mechanic and we had the compartment off to the waterpump etc, thinking it is a loose bearing, but can't tell which one it may be. Does anyone know which one is the most common, we tried listening to them all, but couldn't exactly tell which one it was. We are going to take off all of them individually but I would like to know which one is most common and start from there. Unless it may not be a bearing, any ideas? Thanks guys!

[renzop]

The most common rattle sound is from heatshields around the exhaust system. I would check them first.

[edevlin]

I had a rattle from the rear end when i first got my base boxster. Turned out that the previous owner had bottomed-out the tail pipe on a driveway or such and the chrome exhaust tip was bent just enough so that it would rattle and buzz against the muffler. I just bent it back and the noise went away.

I would ditto the comment on the heat shield as another likely cause, but it may turn out to be something a little more interesting if the car is running with 160K on it.... Best of luck,

Ed

[alfaromeo69]

Thanks for the reply guys, but it is coming from the engine itself. we have had the engine cover off in the cabin area and can hear something rattling. When accelearted the sound goes away. Anyone else got any idea's? Thanks

[carguy]

I have a similar issue, seems to perhaps be from a belt tensioner. Rattle is only at idle as you said. Not very loud, often hard to hear unless I listen specifically for it. Did you find out what it was?

[tboyer]

Bump on the heat Shields, also, check the top cabling, does the sound go away when the top is up/down? I had a bunch of rattles/squeaks that went away after wd-40'ing the door latches. It's always a good day when you eliminate a noise.

[Adam]

Sometimes my car makes a slight rattle sound under acceleration when warming up, then it goes away. It doesn't seem to affect performance or anything and it's been doing it intermittently for at least a year or so I'm not real concerned about it. If you find out what is causing it let us know.

[23109VC]

160,000 MILES on your car OR 160,000 KILOS?

i see you are in Australia... so I assume the latter.