The missus has been driving the car for the last week, and last night I drove it, and when it had warmed up, noticed a metallic tinkling sound from low down in the engine area. All the oil levels are fine, the car is smooth and pulls well and the gears and clutch all work nicely together.

I am worried though, and hope that it could just be something slightly loose or exhaust shielding. It doesn't quite sound like a CAT breaking up, but I haven't ruled that out.

Any ideas folks?

Andy

Petrol or diesel? Is the sound present when the engine is running or switched off when warm?

It is a diesel 1.9PD and the sound is at tickover when stationery.

It does sound like a heat shield vibrating on something.

With all the potholed roads etc its likely that one of them has caused it to move?

It does sound like a heat shield vibrating on something.

With all the potholed roads etc its likely that one of them has caused it to move?

+1 for the heatshield. The circular spring clips (just a few pence each) which secure it are prone to rusting and falling off the locating spigots.

All the best,

Dave

Crankshaft pully? Also known as harmonic balancer. The pully is part rubber to even out vibrations and can fail. I had this on a petrol Golf it sounded like your symptoms. Not a big deal to change.