1.8 16v 406 petrol rattle

My 406 has recently developed a rattle on acceleration.

It's not audible if the revs are being held constant, but it's really
clear when the revs go up. If I pump the gas a few times, it's most
apparent. It sounds rather like it's coming from just behind the driver's
side firewall.

I've had a brief look inside the engine bay and everything looks (on a
cursory inspection) normal. A quick check on t'internet suggest that I'd
be best focusing my investigation on the exhaust manifold.

Gut instinct suggests that it is an exhaust issue as it feels just a tad
sluggish. The exhaust (Everything after the cat) has recently been
replaced; could the cat have blown?

Should I be worried? Is this going to cost me an arm and a leg?

John

 

Check out the crankshaft pulley. It is a known problem and mine went a
couple of weeks ago; and that is what it sounded like. They are rubber
bonded (or something like that) and start to separate. My mechanic said
you could see it was in trouble if you watched with a light when the engine
was running. If it is the pulley you can get them for about £90 (£120 from
Peugeot).

 

I'll have a goosey at it.

In the mean time, I've found that if I push the cat upwards towards the
exhaust manifold, everything sounds a lot healthier. I suspect that the
little collar jobby (there's two springs that look knackered and the seal
looks piss-poor) around the cat pipe to manifold join is knackered.

I'll try and find some time over the next few days to replace it... I
wonder if GSF Newcastle have got the gaskets in stock?

John

 

A replacement gasket has sorted the trouble.

For those who are thinking of taking on this job - don't.

Unless you've got a lift or a pit, it's not possible. Laying on your back
doesn't give you the angle to get into where you need to be. The job for
mine was also hampered by the age of the nuts.

After about an hour of swearing, cursing and general ill-temperedness, I
gave up and drove the thing to my local National Tyres, were they simply
cut the offending bolts off with a blowtorch and replaced them.

Had the job done in half an hour, including the time needed for the
exhaust system to cool.

John

 

I am sorry to hear about your aged nuts, comes to us all in the end. ;o)

 

I'll keep well away from National Tyres in that case - sounds painful! ;-)

Ron Robinson