I noticed a couple of days ago that on a cold startup, the turbo seems to make a horrible rattling noise between 1500 and 2500 revs. The noise cuts out as soon as the turbo whistle cuts in, and seems to go away after about 30 seconds of driving.

So the question is, is my turbo on the way out? :eek:

Could this just be the usual early morning 1.8T death rattle? Do you start the car using the accelerator?

No, I always press the clutch, make sure it's in neutral, wait for the warning lights to go out and then turn the key. Starts first time every time, and always quickly. Gives a nasty diesel-type ratttle during startup, but they all do that.

It's definately a new noise because I've never noticed it before, and it's actually audible inside the cabin. With the windows down, it's pretty painful to listen to!

Could it be a loose heat shield?? I don't recall the set-up on the Octy but I had a similar rattle on my old T-5 which was driving me nuts. Turned out after some investigation a stud had broken on one of the heatshields which was only audible at about 2000 revs...

Rob, are you able to get someone to start the car from cold for you next time to enable you to stick your head under the bonnet and try and pinpoint where the sound is coming from?

I doubt it's a loose component as the noise stops after about 30 seconds, which leads me to suspect it's only happening when the turbo is cold. Once the turbo has spun up a few times, the noise stops. I'll try what you suggested, Dennis. Failing that I'll see what the dealer has to say.

Rob,

anymore news on this?

I'm still in the dark. I don't want to go back to Claybank after the last fiasco, and Horners Manchester keep cutting me off every time I phone.

.......Horners Manchester keep cutting me off every time I phone.

....your reputation preceeeding you?

You could try Horner's Bury, they're easier to get to. Especially from round your way.

Gave them a try this week, and they were pretty effective, and you don't have to go through the Rover switchboard...

Rob.

Rob, have you got an update on this?

Mine has got a slight rattle as well, although it only happens when the car is pulling from below 1k revs, i.e. rolling in first when in traffic.

Interestingly it does it when fully warmed up if I drum the engine in a high gear.

The rattling stopped, so I've left it. Probably unwise, but it's difficult finding the time to take the car to the dealers at the moment. If it happens again, I'll be getting it sorted.

I

How many miles has it done?

Sounds like the cam chain over the VVT guide... check oil level \ quality of oil? Maybe worth changing the oil if getting near, and do an engine flush to ensure all galleries are clear so that oil is circulating.

Horners will probably tell you it needs a new engine.

I noticed a couple of days ago that on a cold startup' date=' the turbo seems to make a horrible rattling noise between 1500 and 2500 revs. The noise cuts out as soon as the turbo whistle cuts in, and seems to go away after about 30 seconds of driving.

So the question is, is my turbo on the way out? :eek:[/quote']

as ian says change oil then flush...

does sound like a turbo on the way out... k03s are prone to this....

Blown turbo's don't rattle... they whirr like an electric motor... valves or cam chain rattles, and the RPM you mention is when the VVT changes over..

My Octy RS turbo is doing the exact same thing. When started from cold it rattles like hell. Been to see AET turbos and they say the shaft is on it's way out. The car is booked in at my dealership on 16 June for it to be checked out, bottom line is i'm not taking the car back unless a new turbo is fitted, none of this dealer bull*@~t

Some of you may remember that my turbo went rattley at croft trackday last year on the RS owners club day.

It turns out it was the wastegate that had packed up and the rattling noise was the hinge that had worn, which ment that the gate was sticking open sometimes.

The symptoms where that it boosted and then lost pressure and the obvious noise too.

My turbo had only done 48k miles when it went.

si

This is an old one! To be honest, it hasn't happened since the weather got a bit warmer. Most curious. If it starts again though, I'll be having it checked out.