random smoke and rattle?

[Simonh]

yestersay was not a good day for my car. went out for a large cruise with friends. must of done about 140 miles. (large for me) firstly when i went through a ford (stream across a road) smoke came from both sides of my bonnet which was quite strange. and secondly later on in the day i noticed a rattle. now it has got really bad. you can hear it as soon as u turn the engine on. also sometimes when im slowing down and when i use the clutch i hear like a grinding/buzzing noise and it seems to be coming from the same place. the noise seems yo be coming from behind where the engine is but infront of the middle of the car? any ideas?

 

[frank]

simon

the buzzing noise will probably be the thrust bearing on the clutch, does the rattle get louder when you rev it ?

 

[Simonh]

slightly yes and it is now on constant when i turn the engine on

 

[joesouthgate]

i should think that when you hit the ford it would be steam coming from your brakes.

 

[Simonh]

hey i didnt think about that yeh probably any ideas on the rattle mm?

 

[joesouthgate]

no not sure to be honest mate.

 

[Simonh]

no worries people. just went to a mechanic who is a friend of the family and he says its the heatshield. so its time to rag it off. i think i just need a 10mm socket to get it off dont I? anyone else done it? can anyone supply a pic of where it is? and also is there a downside to taking it off?

 

[Robert]

AS far as i know, there's no downside. I think i posted when i took mine off and took some pictures.. Give me a sec.

 

[joesouthgate]

its easy mate, yer 10mm socket iirc then pull. and no it makes no difference taking it off really.

 

[Simonh]

can you explain how they come to make such a stupidly loud and annoying noise? do they just come loose?

 

[joesouthgate]

the rust and come loose yes.

 

[Robert]

Just realised, my picture was posted during the server hack so it's gone now.. lol.
I think when mine rattled it was the gear lever return spring that had snapped so that hung down and vibrated on the heatshield.. Might be worth checking that spring too once you have the heatshield off

 

[joesouthgate]

yer and theres a guide about the spring here : http://micra.com.au/technical-articles/shifter-return-springs.php

 

[Simonh]

thank you its nice to see you two always being so helpful

 

[joesouthgate]

glad to be of use

 

[Robert]

Same

 

[Optispart]

so has anyone actually got a picture of the heatshield?

 

[Simonh]

ill get a pic when i take mine off infact maybe i could make a guide? to stop further confusion?

 

[Optispart]

yer good idea do it
ill use it for one lmao!

 

[1.3GX]

This could be useful for me mines rattling like mad

 

[Robb]

My primary cat shield on me old 1.0 rusted loose on one side and sheared rusty bolt on other side so i just bent it like billio til it snapped off.

 

[rlees85]

one of my nuts (on the heatsheild, lol) wouldnt come off, and when i ragged it off it ended in a trip to the hospital to sew my thumb together - so be careful!

 

[Optispart]

lol

 

[Simonh]

cheers for the tip ill be careful