Two Questions - Maintenance & Feature

pstomcik · 07-10-2009, 07:19 PM

Maintainance:

When I am driving, roughly around 2,500 rpms, I hear a momentary metallic rattling / scraping like sound from the engine bay. I don't think it's the transmission, because it happens in any gear, and at 2,500 rpms usually, but sometimes at lower rpms, maybe as the car heats up? I think it's a loose pipe, but maybe not. Anybody know what this is?

Feature:

On the bottom / inside of the convertible top, there is a strap the runs the width of the top and buttons to the other side. What on earth is that strap for?

Paul

lbridges · 07-10-2009, 09:21 PM

Feature: Prevents "ears". That means when it's connected properly it pulls in small ends of the top so it all fits properly inside the stowage area - otherwise there are these little "ears" on each side that stick out over the deck when the top is down.

UK site reference (in their How To section): MR2 Roadster Owners Club Top Strap

Maintenance: Could be loose heat shields. Some have reported success using some large stainless screw clamps around the heatshield going into the main cat. I personally tried that and failed, just to find out it was the license plate. I loosen the mounting screws, moved the plate down 1/8" and all was well. Next on the list would be checking the timing chain tensioner. I have not heard one going bad, but it's been reported as a rattle sound. If none of these seem to produce what you need, post again.

pstomcik · 07-10-2009, 09:49 PM

It's dark outside at the moment, so I'll try the leads you gave me for the rattling sound. I already knocked a little on some heat shields above the radiator and on the sides, but they seemed firm. My license plate has an aluminum frame, and it is not snug, so I'll try taking off those and see if it goes away in the morning when it's light. I hope it's something like a lose heat shield or loose plate, as I don't want it to be some bearing axle carrier or something which I've read about a few times on here that seems like a monster repair in terms of $.

pstomcik · 07-10-2009, 09:50 PM

Oh yeah, and another question - where the heck is the "spout" for the transmission fluid?

supunna_picta · 07-10-2009, 10:50 PM

I'm guessing you have the SMT which is still basically a manual transmission so there's no filler tube. There might be maintenance on the hydraulic actuator in terms of fluids but i'm not sure. might be time for a service manual!

07-10-2009, 07:19 PM	#1 (permalink)
pstomcik No Skills Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Two Questions - Maintenance & Feature Maintainance: When I am driving, roughly around 2,500 rpms, I hear a momentary metallic rattling / scraping like sound from the engine bay. I don't think it's the transmission, because it happens in any gear, and at 2,500 rpms usually, but sometimes at lower rpms, maybe as the car heats up? I think it's a loose pipe, but maybe not. Anybody know what this is? Feature: On the bottom / inside of the convertible top, there is a strap the runs the width of the top and buttons to the other side. What on earth is that strap for? Paul

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07-10-2009, 09:21 PM	#2 (permalink)
lbridges No Skills Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: East Central FLA Posts: 144 Thanks: 1 Thanked 12 Times in 12 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Feature: Prevents "ears". That means when it's connected properly it pulls in small ends of the top so it all fits properly inside the stowage area - otherwise there are these little "ears" on each side that stick out over the deck when the top is down. UK site reference (in their How To section): MR2 Roadster Owners Club Top Strap Maintenance: Could be loose heat shields. Some have reported success using some large stainless screw clamps around the heatshield going into the main cat. I personally tried that and failed, just to find out it was the license plate. I loosen the mounting screws, moved the plate down 1/8" and all was well. Next on the list would be checking the timing chain tensioner. I have not heard one going bad, but it's been reported as a rattle sound. If none of these seem to produce what you need, post again.

07-10-2009, 09:49 PM	#3 (permalink)
pstomcik No Skills Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	It's dark outside at the moment, so I'll try the leads you gave me for the rattling sound. I already knocked a little on some heat shields above the radiator and on the sides, but they seemed firm. My license plate has an aluminum frame, and it is not snug, so I'll try taking off those and see if it goes away in the morning when it's light. I hope it's something like a lose heat shield or loose plate, as I don't want it to be some bearing axle carrier or something which I've read about a few times on here that seems like a monster repair in terms of $.

07-10-2009, 09:50 PM	#4 (permalink)
pstomcik No Skills Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Oh yeah, and another question - where the heck is the "spout" for the transmission fluid?

07-10-2009, 10:50 PM	#5 (permalink)
supunna_picta No Skills Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 222 Thanks: 2 Thanked 23 Times in 22 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	I'm guessing you have the SMT which is still basically a manual transmission so there's no filler tube. There might be maintenance on the hydraulic actuator in terms of fluids but i'm not sure. might be time for a service manual!