My Mondeo has a persistent rattling noise between 2500-3000 rpms.  I have taken it to a local independent who have said that the noise is inside the engine and the cost of investigating it is not worthwhile compared to the value of the car  (Which is a 2003 reg Petrol 1.8L Duratec HE SFI (125PS) and has done 108,000 miles).  I am still intrigued to what the problem is even if I get rid of the car (as it helps my general knowledge of cars).

I have posted a sound recording here: Engine Rattle

It has been burning through oil for a while now (5L per two months). Unfortunately recently when checking the oil, the stick was dry although the engine light had not come on. The rattle had started before this though. Apart from the rattle the engine doesn't show any performance issues or loss of power.

Any ideas or suggestions gratefully received!

 

 

Sounds a bit like timing chain.

16 hours ago, gekapas776 said:

My Mondeo has a persistent rattling noise between 2500-3000 rpms.  I have taken it to a local independent who have said that the noise is inside the engine and the cost of investigating it is not worthwhile compared to the value of the car  (Which is a 2003 reg Petrol 1.8L Duratec HE SFI (125PS) and has done 108,000 miles).  I am still intrigued to what the problem is even if I get rid of the car (as it helps my general knowledge of cars).

I have posted a sound recording here: Engine Rattle

It has been burning through oil for a while now (5L per two months). Unfortunately recently when checking the oil, the stick was dry although the engine light had not come on. The rattle had started before this though. Apart from the rattle the engine doesn't show any performance issues or loss of power.

Any ideas or suggestions gratefully received!

 

 

The older version of the 1.8/2.0 Duratec engine was notorious for the swirl flaps wearing out, they start rattling and potentially if the retention mechanism fails, the bits get ingested into the engine and bye bye working engine.

4 hours ago, 1979Damian said:

The older version of the 1.8/2.0 Duratec engine was notorious for the swirl flaps wearing out, they start rattling and potentially if the retention mechanism fails, the bits get ingested into the engine and bye bye working engine.

I had forgotten about that.

Thank you both for your replies.

I have found a Youtube video which shows how to test if it is the swirl flaps by unplugging vacuum pump. I will give that a try and see what happens.