04 CDTi manual CLUNK

[Hantsdave]

Hi Folks

When I start my 04 CDTi manual there is a clunk from the chassis below the central armrest.

I only bought this at the weekend so I've not had a chance to look underneath yet but at 212,000 I'm not surprised something needs doing. If this was any other older car I would say the gear change remote rear mount would have gone but I imagine this arrangement is different.

Is there an exhaust bracket in the vicinity of this clunk? (or should there be one?)

I'm wondering if its the lower tie rod gone allowing additional movement of the engine which perhaps then led to the failure of an exhaust bracket.

The engine tray is fitted so I can't just crawl under with a torch.

Am I fishing in the right pond here or could it be something else?

All thoughts welcome

thanks

Dave.

[Mike Noc]

There are cross braces under the exhaust pipe Dave - if the car has had a replacement back box then the connection could have twisted and part of the pipe could be rattling against one of the braces on start up.

[Walter]

Originally Posted by Hantsdave

Hi Folks

When I start my 04 CDTi manual there is a clunk from the chassis below the central armrest.

I only bought this at the weekend so I've not had a chance to look underneath yet but at 212,000 I'm not surprised something needs doing. If this was any other older car I would say the gear change remote rear mount would have gone but I imagine this arrangement is different.

Is there an exhaust bracket in the vicinity of this clunk? (or should there be one?)

I'm wondering if its the lower tie rod gone allowing additional movement of the engine which perhaps then led to the failure of an exhaust bracket.

The engine tray is fitted so I can't just crawl under with a torch.

Am I fishing in the right pond here or could it be something else?

All thoughts welcome

thanks

Dave.

check your lower engine mount on drivers side, that's usually problem.

[madeupname]

From memory the front exhaust hangers are below the centre console. The ones just past the Cat.

[Hantsdave]

Originally Posted by Mike Noc

There are cross braces under the exhaust pipe Dave - if the car has had a replacement back box then the connection could have twisted and part of the pipe could be rattling against one of the braces on start up.

Thanks Mike, the previous owner did have a new back box fitted a while ago so your scenario may well be right although I've done 400 miles since getting the car and its been fine up till now.
Additionally, when I switch the engine of it does all sound a bit rattly and lumpy which also made me think towards the lower tie rod. Of course, it could be a mix of all these things.

Cheers

[Hantsdave]

Well, I've taken off the lower engine mount / tie rod and it looks fine, no splits and in the vice it holds up to force in all directions, however, it is an aftermarket part and I'm not convinced the rubber has the resistance it should. The position of the rubber on the original MGR mount is angled to better resist the torque so I've ordered a new original.

With the mount off I can swing the engine from underneath and it indeed makes the exhaust contact the heat shield so I'm going with the theory that although the mounting looks good, to use a modern phrase, is not fit for purpose.

All the exhaust brackets and rubbers look fine and properly lined up so we'll swap the mount and see if that sorts it.