Hi Guys,

 

Thought I would post here before going to a mechanic (Christmas funds are tight).

Pulled up to my driveway tonight and as I got out of the car (with it still on) to press in the key code for our block carpark there was a sound emitted from the underside of the car that can be described as pant wettingly scary.

It sounded like a load of tin cans being dragged behind a wedding car, REALLY loud. Everyone in the street looked round and it lasted about 10 seconds. It hasn't done it again (I popped out again). Any one else had this?! Worried that the bottom of my car is going to fall apart! 

Jack it up and have a look underneath. To sound like that it could be a loose heat shield vibrating, give the exhaust silencers and cat a bang too to see if they are breaking up inside. It could also be other things but check the basics first. Are you sure it was not in the engine bay? Have a look at the fan, leave the car running until its upto temperature so it kicks in to rule it out if its just the usual fan sound. Hopefully its nothing in the engine itself. Did it drive ok after the noise stopped, no loss of power or other unusual sounds?

If you dont want to jack it up then just nip to a local garage or fast fit centre and let them get it up on the ramps. They can show you whats wrong if they find anything and then its upto you if they fix it or you do it yourself depending what the findings are.

2 hours ago, WES180 said:

Jack it up and have a look underneath. To sound like that it could be a loose heat shield vibrating, give the exhaust silencers and cat a bang too to see if they are breaking up inside. It could also be other things but check the basics first. Are you sure it was not in the engine bay? Have a look at the fan, leave the car running until its upto temperature so it kicks in to rule it out if its just the usual fan sound. Hopefully its nothing in the engine itself. Did it drive ok after the noise stopped, no loss of power or other unusual sounds?

If you dont want to jack it up then just nip to a local garage or fast fit centre and let them get it up on the ramps. They can show you whats wrong if they find anything and then its upto you if they fix it or you do it yourself depending what the findings are.

Thank you for your reply!

I'm about as much of a mechanic as the Queen is Spanish!

It was a horrific noise, like someone shaking pebbles in a tin can.

Its had no loss of power since, I might take it to the garage then. they won't charge for taking a look?

They have never charged me. They need to look to be able to quote for the repair. Obviously if they suspect internal engine damage then they are not going to strip it down to find the problem for free and then put it back together and pass you a quote. If its something like the exhaust shields or silencers then a fastfit centre should check for free. Have a look in the fan area incase something got caught up in it.