Hi all,
I apologise beforehand for not explaining this properly, it's very hard to describe!
I drive a 98 Fiat Brava S, very basic model.
Recently in the last few weeks i'd had a funny noise coming from (i think) somewhere under the drivers seat, it's sort of like a bad exhaust noise.
It's been getting worse and worse over the last few weeks.
Eventually yesterday i went upto Fast Fit Exhaust during lunch, cos i thought it was something to do with the exhaust, a hole or something.
Anyway, they checked it out and said that there's nothing wrong with the exhaust. They didn't know what it was!
It doesn't make the noise all the time, usually if i'm accelerating, and it sounds very loud and crumbly!!
Sorry if i'm not describing it very well.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what might be wrong?
Any help is really appreciated
Thanks,
Adri from Dublin, Ireland

try this

had a similar problem with the mrs' 80sx- check the spark plugs and ht leads , if it is not firing properly the vibration causes the exhaust to rattle in an unusual way !!.
(to be honest you should notice a degradation in performance that accompanies this - but who knows ??!!)

Re: try this

Cheers thanks,
A guy in work is gonna have a look at it for me tomorrow.
I have noticed that it isn't firing as well as it used too, so sounds like you are right
Hope it won't cost me too much to get fixed, cause i'm actually gonna try and sell it soon......
And upgrade to a higher spec'd bravo....

Re: try this

my wifes megane was doing a similar thing, turned out to be worn wheel bearings.
there's an easy test, find a straight empty piece of road and pick up speed until you hear the noise clearly then stick it in neutral and turn off the engine, if the noise remains £10 says it's bearings

hope this helps

Re: try this

Wouldn't advise that jay. My brother did something similar in an old BMW that, it turned out, had a faulty steering lock! Crashing into a ditch at 90mph aint fun!

Shabash!

Now partying with Yul Brynner
http://ozrics.co.uk/

Re: try this

Al having seen your brothers Lancia thats no big suprise

Is the noise car speed dependant or engine speed dependant?

ie. does it change note when you change gear.

Hi,
No the noise doesn't seem to change.
It doesn't start until i've driven about half a mile, and then it gets worse the more i drive.
It doesn't seem to make a differance whether i'm accelerating or not.
It might be the wheel bearing, i'm due to get one of them changed this week cause it failed the NCT test last week.

I'll let you know how i get on after the wheel bearing is changed