Rattle under load when engine is hot

[jmystaki]

Hi,

I have a 1997 Golf 2.0 8v - with 104k kms.

When the engine is hot I get a rattle between 1.5k rpm to 2.5k rpm under load/acceleration.

Troubleshooting:

1. replaced the spark plugs
2. decarbonised the head and intake with a spray kit
3. running premium 98 octane
4. no noises when revving the engine at a standstill
5. no obvious loose items under the hood
6. does not rattle when the engine is cold
7. no engine light to signify pinging
8. compression test - pass
9. fuel economy good
10. no faults from the computer

any suggestions/help or similar experience would be appreciated.

Cheers

[bombsquad21]

My car did this the entire time I owned it..I fixed it by removing suitcase muffler!!

[Pullstarter]

Pinging maybe?

[Mrk_Mickey]

What kind of a rattle is it...ie, does it sound metallic, etc?

[jmystaki]

Thanks for the interest.

It does sounds metallic, but I cannot be too sure.

I took the car to Hitech and they said it was not a ping....

When the car is hot (20min driving) and low RPM, usually 4th gear between 1500 and 2500 under acceleration the is a light rattle rattle - 5 - 6 rattles and then you have reached higher rpms where you either cannot hear it due to the increased engine noise or it does not make the noise...

Seems to be when the motor is under lots of load...

With the AC on it is more frequent... i think because of the extra engine load....

[Bora Sport]

I am guessing that it is the aluminium heat shield on the down pipe.

[JAYISK]

I know this is a old thread but I had a similar issue with my 96 Vento.
I had a strange rattling which I thought was bad pinging or the exhaust cover. It turning out to be a cable linkage that was attached to the throttle body from an aftermarket cruise control that I had disabled previously.
I secured the cable away from the throttle body and now I don't have any rattling while accelerating between 1500-2000rpm.