Help... is this noise normal???

[chloe77]

Hi can someone please help me... I have just bought a Ford Focus ST170. Its on a 54 plate and only has 30k miles on it. The problem i'm experienceing is when the engine is cold and i start it up it sounds very smooth and if this makes sense it sounds really good. After the engine has warmed up though it sounds like something is tapping or loose however it dosent sound like it comes from the engine, its just a odd ratle kinda noise that only happens when warmed up.... When ive lifted the bonet the noise is in the direction of the fan belt if that helps... I have taken the ar back to the garage and they can't see anything wrong and just says its a ford engine... yep im being fobbed off, just need to know if anyone else has experienced this before... or am I worrying over nothing?

[mintalkin]

if the noise is coming from the fan belt area it could be a tensioner pully chattering.