My 2003 2.0 Petrol Duratec developed a real bad engine rattle today, has anybody else ever had similar problems to this or know what could be causing it?

Very rattly at start up and you have to hold a rev on her or she will die out, also very rattlyy under load and putting out white smoke from the exhaust but when at 50-60 mph it seems to be ok with no loss of power.

 

is the oil light on?

 

No she's not low on oil. I've just been talking to my mechanic and the tip has broke of the spark plug on number 1 cylinder and fell into the engine, he's going to get a lend of a camera he has at work to look and see if he can find it and to see what damage has been done. The plugs were fitted less than 1,000 miles ago.