A Rattle And Slight Loss Of Acceleration

[loulou30]

Hi, I'm new to this site and have just bought a X reg MR2 I wondered if anyone has had this before or knows any solutions. Everything was fine when i drove the car back from where I got it from, but 2 days later I am noticing a strange rattle sound. I think it's coming from the exhaust but can't be certain as the engine is so close by. When i start the car the noise sounds a a little like a tin can is rattling around. It gets quieter the faster I go. Also (now this may just be me as I haven't had an MR2 before) when i drive it mainly when i change gear, mainly from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to third it feels a little like the acceleration dips slightly but just for a second, like its lost pressure or something. This could be me getting used to driving it i suppose but I havent had this with any other cars I've driven before. I guess i am wondering if this sounds like a major thing or if the two could be connected? The car was last serviced at 56000 miles and I bought it at 63000 miles. It doesnt seem to have had the cam belt changed yet either. Lou

[liberclavis]

Don't get excited - this is not a solution! I, too, have a Mk3 x reg with identical problem: slight hesitation when accelerating and (this may be wholly unrelated) a rattling or 'pinking' sound when under load. It may be a loose baffle in the exhaust: I thought 'pinking' had gone out with my first car (Ford 100e side valve) and that ECU had built in anti-knock sensors.

Finally - and this may be a myth: I've been told that the ECU adapts itself to your style of driving. If this is true, then I am extremely light on the right foot (mpg of between 42 - 49 tells its own story) so I wonder whether the ECU has found out that I'm a doddering old oik and complains when I floor it, loaded,uphill?

If I find a solution I will mail again. Equally, if the muses are kind to you and let you in on the secret, please tell me.