Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Hi all, happy Friday all and hope you have some sun where you are.

Had a cracking drive with my +2 this week but can anyone help with this strange ‘whirring’ sound usually noticeable when I come off the loud pedal.

https://youtube.com/shorts/LgtuPSbC9CM?feature=share

Thanks and have a good weekend all!
Vimal.

Where does it sound like the noise is coming from? Wheel, differential, gearbox?

-Ben

It might be the exhaust contacting something on overrun - worth a quick look?

You could also have a look at the diff mountings to check they are tight. Also check anything that might be loose under the car, or anywhere really. After that, if no joy, you have to try and pin-point the noise.....

Dave Chapman.

Can’t comment on a plus 2, but I sometimes have to tighten the dash screws a little on the Sprint

Thanks all… difficult to tell but the sound seems to coming from the dash area so will tighten up there and work back to the exhaust mounting.

Your doomed I tell you - your doomed.....................

Hi

Slack timing chain ??

Check it

That’s a gearbox buzz or rattle, to verify remove the gear lever gaiter and any padding and take it out for a run, the noise should become obvious if it is gearbox…

Hi Vimal

Did you identify your noise

We would like to what it was

Hi all, thanks for the many suggestions, unfortunately haven't had time to properly investigate other than the dash is secure so next is a cursory check underneath and drive without the gear gaiter. Will keep you posted.

+1 exhaust
While under there check the UJs. I had a failure of these that sounded similar on the overrun.
Cam Chain? Would have gradually crept up on you without you noticing..

Is the noise new & fully formed when it became apparent or has it been gradually getting worse?

Jeremy

Hysteric,

Take a look at the long post in the Plus 2 forum with the name "Metallic Rattle." Two of us on that post have (and for me still have) the noise you have recorded on overrun. Mine sounds like it comes from the gearbox and, although several knowledgeable mechanics have been inside it, no one is able to eliminate it. I explored other sources of the noise even going to ridiculous lengths including having my drive shaft shortened. Finally, I put some sound proofing material around the shift lever, put the center console over it and have learned to live with it.

I hope that someday someone has the answer to this annoying noise. I've given up trying to find it..

Lee

Hi Lee,

I just read through your 2019 saga of the Metallic rattle... top marks to you for perseverance and leaving no stone unturned!

I guess the only thing left would be to rebuild the box from scratch?

regards
Iain

iain

That is an option I haven't pursued. I did have a Voigt T9 five speed on order for a couple years but finally gave up due to production problems.

Lee

Harvey wrote:Hysteric,

Take a look at the long post in the Plus 2 forum with the name "Metallic Rattle." Two of us on that post have (and for me still have) the noise you have recorded on overrun. Mine sounds like it comes from the gearbox and, although several knowledgeable mechanics have been inside it, no one is able to eliminate it. I explored other sources of the noise even going to ridiculous lengths including having my drive shaft shortened. Finally, I put some sound proofing material around the shift lever, put the center console over it and have learned to live with it.

I hope that someday someone has the answer to this annoying noise. I've given up trying to find it..

Lee

Hi Lee, that is a truly epic battle you've had and hats off to your determination! thanks very much for the pointer.

With regards my car, I've taken it out on 1 hour journeys again and it hasn't presented again. Perhaps very very slightly but not anything like it was when I first heard it.

Do Elan's self fix?

I think I will still have a nosey under the car for anything loose.