Noisy Catt

[SAM LOVERS HER TOYOTAS]

I recently purchased a 2001 Toyota avensis 1.8vvti SR hatchback/Liftback a month back which has done 86000 miles. I have since experienced many annoying problems with it as you will read via my other topics posted! But this is one that really does my head in. When pulling out in 1st gear or when changing down and up again...mainly at low revs I think...you can hear this annoying vibrating/rattling sound...sounds like its coming from the cat converter some where...and sounds like a million pieces rattling away. I have had the exhaust checked by my local garage and Kwikfit recently. Both confirmed the exhaust itself is fine bit it is common for the insides of the cat to corrode and break away causing the rattling sound. Has anyone else experienced this??? And is there a solution??? One mechanic advised me to drill a hole in it and empty it out!!! Another said to just replace it!!! Please let me know guys. Thank you.

[corollaboyzz]

I recently purchased a 2001 Toyota avensis 1.8vvti SR hatchback/Liftback a month back which has done 86000 miles. I have since experienced many annoying problems with it as you will read via my other topics posted! But this is one that really does my head in. When pulling out in 1st gear or when changing down and up again...mainly at low revs I think...you can hear this annoying vibrating/rattling sound...sounds like its coming from the cat converter some where...and sounds like a million pieces rattling away. I have had the exhaust checked by my local garage and Kwikfit recently. Both confirmed the exhaust itself is fine bit it is common for the insides of the cat to corrode and break away causing the rattling sound. Has anyone else experienced this??? And is there a solution??? One mechanic advised me to drill a hole in it and empty it out!!! Another said to just replace it!!! Please let me know guys. Thank you.

Hi Sam

I would recomend a second opinion, my brother had a vibration, quickfit recomended a cat and it did not cure it, his turned out to be the inlet manifold rattling, aparantly a comon fault?? A toyota centre will check it for free, they call it a vsr, at least my local one does. Good luck.

[GIDDLEPIN]

Your local garage and Kwikfit is a place I would avoid like the plague to be honest, recommending drilling a cat to "let the bits out" sounds like he was taking the pee to be honest and if he wasn't he shouldn't be in a workshop, the other character seemed just as helpful by telling you to replace it.......He was probably on commission ;)

If the insides of the cat have started to break up you would be suffering power loss problems as it became blocked. It is possible that a heat shield has come loose and that is what causes the rattling sound, the best thing to do is find a competent mechanic to check things over, that way you will have a better idea what to do.

Les

[BALIKBAYAN]

Is the rattling coming at the same rpm every time? If so I believe that Giddlepin is right that it is a heat shield. It is difficult to locate a sound when you are inside the car driving. Let someone listen when the car is not moving and try to locate the sound.

Have a look at the heat shield around the exhaust manifold (they are known to vibrate on Toyotas.), heatshields between car and exhaust pipe.