i own a 54 plate focus ST170, recently its started making a weird "clinking" noise like a metallic vibration from under the bonnet when driving along at low revs, i thought it might have been the manifold heat shield vibrating so i removed it and took it for a quick spin, its still there but seems quieter than before. the noise seems to only happen when driving around 30-40mph as soon as the revs pick up its gone, any ideas what it could be?

 

some one must have some idea?

 

Check the heatshields underneath the car. Think its quite common for these to come adrift. On my old st170 I had an invoice for the previous owner replacing all the heatshields, and have heard of it on a few others.

 

cheers i heard its usually down to the manni heatshield so thats staying off the car for now so it could be the shields under the car?, its not a sign of a failing dmf is it? im paranoid as fcuk about that bloody thing going on me as i dont know what the signs are are is it like when the clutch is slipping?

 

Heatshields most likely or anything metal vibrating loose. Stick your head under the bonnet and hold the revs around where it does it won't be consistent with speed but will be with engine rpm.

 

the only other thing that sprang to mind was a pre tensioner on the way out... which i really hope it isnt

 

ive tried that, it only seems to happen when the engines under load

 

its the heatshield on the cat ours done it ripped it off flung it in the bin problem solved

 

same on my nephews st he replaced the pre tensioner, water pump and cam belt

 

now im worried lol any one in the west mids with knowledge of the ST170 fancy taking a look for some beer tokens?

 

I had a similar noise on mine
Turned out to be the Anti-run on valve cable had snapped and the motor just kept running on the valve
It was more of a click than a rattle
Cost me Ł170 from ford

 

cheers andy add to my paranoia lol only messing
i can only describe it as a metallic rattling its just weird how it clears once im over 50 odd mph. saying that since i removed the manni's shield the noise does seem quieter and coming from under the car so could just be a case of getting rid of all the heat shields, i know ford put them there for a reason but are they really neccisary? (sp)

 

DMF make a click /knock when they are on their way out. As they get worse the car will run badly.

 

I was running around with a warped DMF for a weekend because i cooked it, and the vibrations that it was sending through the driveshafts were enough to shake the whole car!

 

so a failing dmf will be obvious when its on the way out by the sounds of it, thats a relief as the car has none of the the above mentioned symptoms, going to get it up on my mates ramp again and check the heat shields under the car and that bracket that supports the cat

cheers every one for your input its much appreciated

 

The cat itself will also rattle at about 2k revs when its on its way out, mine did this after removing the heatshield and needed to be replaced. Can your clicking be heard behind the dash from inside the car? More than likely running on the valve as mentioned, constant ticking like an injector sounding problem.

 

no its deffinatlly from under the bonnet near the front end, it isnt all that noticeable with the windows up but with the window down its easy to hear it, thats with either window down so its quite audiable

 

It will be the heat sheild.

Mine does it on and off ...

 

Agreed if its in front of the engine, the bolts rust through and the shield rattles.

 

mine suffers on a yearly bassis with the exhaust/cat bracket on the back of engine. Need to put on ramp to see if it is.

 

Hi all new 2 this & haven't got a clue how 2 use this so wondered if anyone can help
I purchased a focus ST170 about 6 months ago & having a few problems, I have a scratching sound when I switch off the engine ( around the oil pressure gauge area )
Engine sounds tappy/ticking
Vibrating accelerator pedal above 80 mph
Some loud knocking noise, not sure where it's coming from but sounds really rough on idle. The noise goes when I apply the clutch, have fitted a new clutch & slave valve cyli nder. Dual mass flywheel was slightly worn but ok. Have been told this sounds normall for the st170 & it's the 5th gear idle in the gearbox but I am not convinced.
I would be grateful for any help on these problems or advice

 

Noise from Oil pressure guage is normal, you can hear the oil squirting behind.

The engine has solid lifters so generally is quite tappy

Accelerator pedal vibration is down to the cable, go to ford and get the replacment longer one, this was a recall

Knocking noise is the DMF, never never never change the clutch without doing the DMF, the DMF will die and yours had, they all do. Mine did as does all ST170's evertually. I would avoid replacing the fly with another crappy DMF, get a lightweight alloy one. Unfortunately a new DMF is not cheap

My ST170 made no gear box noise before i fitted my Stage 3 clutch and alloy fly so the comment on the 5th gear being noisey sounds rubbish

 

Thanks for the info