Any diagnosis of my new rattle?

[Richard Wyndham]

The engine note in my 1999 2.5 Boxster has suddenly changed in the past week. On listening carefully, I think the actual engine note is the same but there is a "light metallic rattling" overlaid on top of it - sounds more like it's coming from the front of the car, than the engine. If there was a lightweight fan in the front with dodgy bearings, it is that sort of sound. (I know there isn't one) Too light a sound to be wheel bearings.

The car has done just under 56k miles, all gauges are OK, no warning lights, and the performance and handling seem unchanged. As I've owned it from new, I'm used to how it sounds and feels, so sensitive to something different.

It's due for service and MOT next month, so I'm debating whether to bring that forward. Any immediate thoughts from anyone, before I talk to the OPC Service Manager.

TIA
Richard

 

[CLIFFWILKINS]

Sounds like it could be the heat shield common fault on Boxsters
very light metalic sound .
Cliff.

 

[Black80XSA]

ORIGINAL: CLIFFWILKINS

Sounds like it could be the heat shield common fault on Boxsters
very light metalic sound .
Cliff.

my first thought but at eleven years old I would think these would have been replaced by now. Having owned it from new the op should have heardthis before. Exhaust shields tend to resonate at certain rpm which might help diagnosis.

 

[Mark_Bennett]

There are fans in the front - one each side...

 

[Richard Wyndham]

Update on my rattle ( & thanks for all your responses) ...

On trying to figure out whether it was engine speed, road speed, or whatever, dependent, I noticed by chance that the noise magically stopped when the air-con was switched off.

Following some web research, I now understand that the passenger side radiator front fan comes on automatically whenever the air-con is on, but the driver side radiator fan only comes on when engine temperature dictates.

It must be pretty tight in both front wings - with radiators, fans & air-con condensors all packaged in on either side.

So for the moment I am back to my normal engine note with air-con off. Initial quote was £170 + VAT + fitting.

With regard to heat shields, I have not had anything done to them by the OPC over the past 11 years, and they all look OK and secure. I guess I have had a charmed life with them.