Garage suggestion

[JayPee404]

Hi guys,

So I'm taking my Mk3 to the garage this week as it's making a funny noise between 2k-3k RPM and I can't for the life of me understand what it is and frankly am not in a place to take the transmission out if it is the clutch like I assume it is.

In any case, Snows toyota down in Hedge End are having a look at it, but they cost an arm and a leg to even look at the car, will be interesting to find out how much it will be for any repairs needed. I was wondering if there are any garages around Portsmouth that anyone might have good experiences with?

Many thanks for the help,

JP

[Ardent]

@JayPee404

The vibration if not a usual easy identified type. The cat heat shield is often the culprit. A big jubilee clip can often sort it.
There are spacers that are not visible that can also be the cause.

If you search me as a member and something like cat refurb.

You don't  need a specialist. These are simple mechanical cars.
All you need is a trusted competent local mechanic.

Can you elaborate on the vibration noise.
What makes you think it's the transmission?
Edit
https://www.mr2roc.org/index.php?msg=888164

[Carolyn]

It is rarely a good idea to take one of these to a (ST)ealer.

As Ardent says, a decent local family run garage is your best bet.

It's not very different to any front wheel drive Toyota of the same period.

[Chilli Girl]

Hi guys,

So I'm taking my Mk3 to the garage this week as it's making a funny noise between 2k-3k RPM and I can't for the life of me understand what it is and frankly am not in a place to take the transmission out if it is the clutch like I assume it is.

In any case, Snows toyota down in Hedge End are having a look at it, but they cost an arm and a leg to even look at the car, will be interesting to find out how much it will be for any repairs needed. I was wondering if there are any garages around Portsmouth that anyone might have good experiences with?

Many thanks for the help,

JP

My previous 2 that @Mickemo brought off me took it to a guy called Stewart but for the life of me I can't remember the garage name but it's certainly in the Portsmouth area.  Hopefully, he'll see this post and be along shortly to let you know. @Mickemo are you there?

[Joesson]

@JayPee404

The vibration if not a usual easy identified type. The cat heat shield is often the culprit. A big jubilee clip can often sort it.
There are spacers that are not visible that can also be the cause.

If you search me as a member and something like cat refurb.

You don't  need a specialist. These are simple mechanical cars.
All you need is a trusted competent local mechanic.

Can you elaborate on the vibration noise.
What makes you think it's the transmission?
Edit
https://www.mr2roc.org/index.php?msg=888164

In the link @ Ardent mentions a friendly guy in a shed that machined some spacers for him. For those having no such mates here is a link to eBay for " long nuts" that should do the job for the mateless.

[JayPee404]

@JayPee404

The vibration if not a usual easy identified type. The cat heat shield is often the culprit. A big jubilee clip can often sort it.
There are spacers that are not visible that can also be the cause.

If you search me as a member and something like cat refurb.

You don't  need a specialist. These are simple mechanical cars.
All you need is a trusted competent local mechanic.

Can you elaborate on the vibration noise.
What makes you think it's the transmission?
Edit
https://www.mr2roc.org/index.php?msg=888164

So the noise is oddly specific. It doesn't happen if the car is cold, it only really happens when the car is between 2-3k RPM. As soon as the dial hits that 2000 you hear what sounds like a loose lid, would be the best way to describe it. At first I did think it was a loose heatshield, then I thought maybe the plastic tray under the exhaust might be scraping (I need to remove it as it is definitely not in good condition anyway).

But because this only happens when the car is in gear and running (revving in neutral it sounds healthy) I have begun to assume that the problem is somewhere within the clutch. I did ask a friend who used to be a mechanic to have a quick drive around but he couldn't identify it either.

I'll be real though my knowledge with cars is very fresh I have only started to work on cars with this one.

How exactly would I know if it is the heatshield? When I tug at it it feels solid so I kinda assumed that it ain't the problem.

[Joesson]

@JayPee404 that rattle at specific revs was much worried about and discussed shortly after I joined this .org. around 2013 and since.
Much like as @Ardent describes I stripped and refitted the cat heat shields, also using some exhaust U clamps in the area of the flexes.
I'd wager that Mr T certainly would not be taking apart and refitting those heat shields, more likely fitting a replacement cat.

[Ardent]

That's part of the problem. The loose bit can be inside the cat heat shield. Unsighted.

Manifold heat sheilds can be an issue.

[JayPee404]

My previous 2 that @Mickemo brought off me took it to a guy called Stewart but for the life of me I can't remember the garage name but it's certainly in the Portsmouth area.  Hopefully, he'll see this post and be along shortly to let you know. @Mickemo are you there?

@Joesson @Ardent

Thank you all for the replies, I reckon I will cancel Snows if you don't think this car needs a specialist. Because the car still drives perfectly fine, I'll try to shop around for a local garage and see what I can find.

If it is a loose heatshield like you guys suggest, and If the state of the bolts around it ain't too bad maybe I can replace the exhaust manifold and kill 2 birds with 1 stone.

I still find it incredibly odd how it specifically rattles when it hits 2k RPM and will not really make any special noises above 3K. Soon find out!

[Joesson]

@JayPee404 said:

If it is a loose heatshield like you guys suggest, and If the state of the bolts around it ain't too bad maybe I can replace the exhaust manifold and kill 2 birds with 1 stone.

Iirc the shields are fixed by spot welds, those still holding and those that had let go I drilled out. Found that to need something around 8 mm drill. I replaced  with 8mm stainless pan head socket head machine screws together with washers and nuts from Screwfix.
@Ardents mates offering or the long nuts would give a neater, worms eye, appearance.

Don't be fooled by the rattling noise being in a very  specific Rev range, and as you said if you are changing the manifold you will be in and around  that area, as was I when I de catted the OE manifold.

[JayPee404]

@JayPee404 said:

If it is a loose heatshield like you guys suggest, and If the state of the bolts around it ain't too bad maybe I can replace the exhaust manifold and kill 2 birds with 1 stone.

Iirc the shields are fixed by spot welds, those still holding and those that had let go I drilled out. Found that to need something around 8 mm drill. I replaced  with 8mm stainless pan head socket head machine screws together with washers and nuts from Screwfix.
@Ardents mates offering or the long nuts would give a neater, worms eye, appearance.

Don't be fooled by the rattling noise being in a very  specific Rev range, and as you said if you are changing the manifold you will be in and around  that area, as was I when I de catted the OE manifold.

So the cat heatshield, like in your post, is loose as all hell. The places where it was supposed to be welt together literally crumbled at the touch given how rusty they were. Bought some clips and metal ties and going to try that first to see if that's actually where the noise was and then look into a solution like yours.

Glad I followed your advice and had a go myself instead of having mr dealer look at it. Just letting it cool and will report if the ties work.

https://youtu.be/k_bh-fYLhWs

Thanks again everyone.

Edit: the temp solution: https://ibb.co/bH2sXhn
Taking it out for a wee drive to see what it sounds like.

[Ardent]

You're welcome. That's what we are about.

I found that bemusing, Mr T, had used very good quality stainless for the actual heat shield and then held it together with the cheapest rust prone fixings.

[barchetta_ms]

I have exactly the same temp solution - 12 months on and it is still working fine

[Joesson]

NB
If you like shiny the heat shield appearance can be improved, if removed for a thorough refit, with a powered wire brush.

[JayPee404]

NB
If you like shiny the heat shield appearance can be improved, if removed for a thorough refit, with a powered wire brush.

I'll definitely do something like you did once I take the back out to replace the pre-cats. And might as well give it a good clean in the meanwhile.  I'm glad that was it though, would love to see how much the garage would've charged to tell me there's a loose bit of metal back there.


It'll do for now though, took it for a drive earlier and while there is an ever so slight rattle the difference is huge. the clip is just too big so it isn't quite tight enough. Might throw another brace at it for now, but that's a load off my mind for sure.

By the way, there's a bar that runs across, you can see it in the picture: https://ibb.co/bH2sXhn . It is rusted to hell and back and feels like if I put much pressure on it it would probably crumble. What's the purpose of it?

[Ardent]

Looks like the anti roll bar

[J88TEO]

It's the Rear ARB.
I have a very good one if you are after one or both ( front and rear ).

[Joesson]

As the two posts above, your ARB. There is also one at the front that will likely be as corroded.
Together with the decatting and the catalyser anti rattle procedure shortly after my purchase, in 2011, the two  ARB's were the subject of attention from my powered wire  brush and repainted. Now, a decade later they remain more recognisable than your crusty items. (Time, the elements, and road salt do their utmost to destroy, my 2 is typically subjected only to time).
By powered wire brush, I mean a wire brush in the chuck of a battery drill.
More recently I have a 4.5 inch ( Makita) mains power angle grinder so that I can use some more serious wire brushes.
Unfortunately this is not for loan or hire!

[Mickemo]

My previous 2 that @Mickemo brought off me took it to a guy called Stewart but for the life of me I can't remember the garage name but it's certainly in the Portsmouth area.  Hopefully, he'll see this post and be along shortly to let you know. @Mickemo are you there?

Sorry I'm a bit late in responding as it looks like the issue has been resolved however for future occasions I can def recommend Stuart at Lex-Tech https://www.lex-tech.co.uk/index.php.  He is excellent and really knows these cars well. He looks after my sons C1(Aygo in disguise) still. He can provide a collect your car service or courtesy car...Highly recommended!

[JayPee404]

Sorry I'm a bit late in responding as it looks like the issue has been resolved however for future occasions I can def recommend Stuart at Lex-Tech https://www.lex-tech.co.uk/index.php.  He is excellent and really knows these cars well. He looks after my sons C1(Aygo in disguise) still. He can provide a collect your car service or courtesy car...Highly recommended!

hi Mick, I ended up not using a garage at all but this is great to know for future reference, thank you!

I also found a garage in Waterlooville that rents out their space with a lift for a pretty fair price so will probably look into that when I tear the car apart.

[Mickemo]

hi Mick, I ended up not using a garage at all but this is great to know for future reference, thank you!

I also found a garage in Waterlooville that rents out their space with a lift for a pretty fair price so will probably look into that when I tear the car apart.

Ok cool...that garage wouldn't happen to be in Lovedean would it? Just up the road from me and a decent pub in throwing distance 😀

[JayPee404]

Ok cool...that garage wouldn't happen to be in Lovedean would it? Just up the road from me and a decent pub in throwing distance 😀

It would indeed! I was looking around for a place that would rent a space with a lift and was delighted to find something 10 minutes from mine. Nice to see a local. I've seen a couple of 2s around, one in black one with a very interesting paintjob, looks like it's lined with old newspapers or comic books, one of them yours?

[Mickemo]

It would indeed! I was looking around for a place that would rent a space with a lift and was delighted to find something 10 minutes from mine. Nice to see a local. I've seen a couple of 2s around, one in black one with a very interesting paintjob, looks like it's lined with old newspapers or comic books, one of them yours?

Sounds interesting but that isn't my car - I sold my MR2 (Foxy) earlier this month.