So my 2004 Fabia Combi 1.2 is making a noise, and I can't figure out what is it.

 

It started making rattling sounds from somewhere below the backseats or the trunk. Every time the engine was working in a way that made the exhaust pipe vibrate, I could hear the rattling sound of metal hitting metal.

 

The heat shield was a Little loose so I reattached it and had a mechanic change the exhaust (which was pretty rusty). That helped somewhat. Now when I'm driving alone or with a person on the front passenger seat there's rarely any sound.

 

But as soon there's a little weight on the backseats, like a person or even a slightly heavy bag, the damn Rattle comes back. Not when I'm cruising, but when I'm starting from a standstill, driving in too high gear or going in reverse. The more weight the more rattle.

 

What could it be? Is it perhaps the suspension? It doesn't seem wobbly and you'd think extra weight on the back of the car would lower both the car and the exhaust pipe.

If heard when engine is running, could be loose baffles in the exhaust box, rattling around ?

If heard when engine is running, could be loose baffles in the exhaust box, rattling around ?

 

Wouldn’t that happen regardless of whether there’s weight on the back seat?

Weight in the rear moves the exhaust closer to the rear beam though,as the beam stays at the same distance to the road.

Have you had it on a ramp with weight in the rear of the car?

Obviously make sure it's a drive on/four post ramp,then check for clearance issues to rear beam/heat shields

Weight in the rear moves the exhaust closer to the rear beam though,as the beam stays at the same distance to the road.

Have you had it on a ramp with weight in the rear of the car?

Obviously make sure it's a drive on/four post ramp,then check for clearance issues to rear beam/heat shields

An obvious yet good suggestion that I didn't think of :-) I'll try to put a lot of weight on the back seat and take a look underneath.

I've seen garages check for rattles with the car on a two post ramp,which obviously gives more clearance to susp etc so not a good way to check!