Possible Flexi / Manifold Blow?

[suj]

Last Weds I was coming back from Birmingham City Centre at 5.30pm (anyone who knows this time knows how bad the traffic is!), it was 30 degrees and I pulled over at the petrol station.

When I got in I started the car with the door open and heard a noise, it sounded periodical, like rotational type noise (think of how a big end knock sounds, but it wasn't a knock), I gave it a light accelerator pedal and it got faster with revs, it sounded like back of engine / underneath driver.

I then nursed it home as I was only a few minutes away. Had a nosey and couldn't hear it clearly with engine running (no one around to rev so I can hear it).

I left it then went in and didn't start it until morning. The noise was not present, I got to work, no noise again.
Then I drove to the gym after work, again peak traffic (bloody Birmingham), the noise was back! There is no loss in power and it feels like over certain revs it goes away (like the flow increases enough to no longer escape so easily?) but then again so many other noises appear like wind noise, tyre noise so it is drowned out.

I was away the weekend in London so car stayed at the gf's place, when I got in and started it, I definitely heard exhaust leaking noise from under the drivers area of the car.

Could this sound be the manifold, either the flange or the flexis? When the flexis / flange leaks what kind of noises have people heard?

Of course I am paranoid as hell thinking it is the big end bearings that have gone, but then I watch vids / experience of other peoples cars that have had them gone, noise isn't the same, but still doesn't help the paranoia haha.

Thanks in advance.

 

[matt9566]

Last Weds I was coming back from Birmingham City Centre at 5.30pm (anyone who knows this time knows how bad the traffic is!), it was 30 degrees and I pulled over at the petrol station.

When I got in I started the car with the door open and heard a noise, it sounded periodical, like rotational type noise (think of how a big end knock sounds, but it wasn't a knock), I gave it a light accelerator pedal and it got faster with revs, it sounded like back of engine / underneath driver.

I then nursed it home as I was only a few minutes away. Had a nosey and couldn't hear it clearly with engine running (no one around to rev so I can hear it).

I left it then went in and didn't start it until morning. The noise was not present, I got to work, no noise again.
Then I drove to the gym after work, again peak traffic (bloody Birmingham), the noise was back! There is no loss in power and it feels like over certain revs it goes away (like the flow increases enough to no longer escape so easily?) but then again so many other noises appear like wind noise, tyre noise so it is drowned out.

I was away the weekend in London so car stayed at the gf's place, when I got in and started it, I definitely heard exhaust leaking noise from under the drivers area of the car.

Could this sound be the manifold, either the flange or the flexis? When the flexis / flange leaks what kind of noises have people heard?

Of course I am paranoid as hell thinking it is the big end bearings that have gone, but then I watch vids / experience of other peoples cars that have had them gone, noise isn't the same, but still doesn't help the paranoia haha.

Thanks in advance.

To me I think it sounds like a manifold/flexi issue as I have a similar noise and have had a garage look and confirm that the flexis are blowing and the manifold is cracked.

The way I describe how mine sounds is like a ticking/tapping noise, it's more noticable at lower revs and get faster as revs build. I notice mine most when I'm just commuting to work and driving steady - It's got even more annoying now I've got my windows down all the time.

If you have chance just ask a garage to have a quick look for you, will put you a bit at ease once it's been diagnosed - hoping it's just the manifold and nothing too serious.

 

[suj]

To me I think it sounds like a manifold/flexi issue as I have a similar noise and have had a garage look and confirm that the flexis are blowing and the manifold is cracked.

The way I describe how mine sounds is like a ticking/tapping noise, it's more noticable at lower revs and get faster as revs build. I notice mine most when I'm just commuting to work and driving steady - It's got even more annoying now I've got my windows down all the time.

If you have chance just ask a garage to have a quick look for you, will put you a bit at ease once it's been diagnosed - hoping it's just the manifold and nothing too serious.

Exactly what mine sounds like Matt, yep i'm going today after work to my garage to get it on a ramp and have a listen.
Yeah I think the temperature outside isn't helping! My problem is I always think the worst case scenario, so why I am thinking big end bearings lol.

Thanks mate, sounds more promising, as like I said there really isn't any performance loss.

 

[dolby20]

I’m having a manifold flexi repaired right now - I say repaired - new manifold time

Anyway, I found that the sound coming from it got quieter as the car got warmer
I do 35 miles to work, when I got there no one noticed the sound, when I started up to leave everyone pointed it out
Got home straight under the car, and saw this:

 

[suj]

Mine is opposite, why I included the flange, as I thought it might be when it gets hot it opens up / moves.

Also to add I have a spare standard manifold, so I will get the flexis changed on them (reason I bought them, so I can get it swapped over).

 

[dolby20]

Mine is opposite, why I included the flange, as I thought it might be when it gets hot it opens up / moves.

Also to add I have a spare standard manifold, so I will get the flexis changed on them (reason I bought them, so I can get it swapped over).

Wish I’d been that smart to get a secondary manifold!!!

Yeah it sounds possible! Best thing you can do is have a look
Hold your phone down there on video mode and scan around the flanges

 

[suj]

Wish I’d been that smart to get a secondary manifold!!!

Yeah it sounds possible! Best thing you can do is have a look
Hold your phone down there on video mode and scan around the flanges

Typical Clio ownership, have a spare of everything! Haha

Yep that is what I was going to do today if I couldn't go garage, fingers crossed, I will update today hopefully.

 

[Dumdum]

Best way to find blowing flexi’s is have car running on a ramp or so you can get underneath it, have someone stuff a rag up both tailpipes and then if the flexi is blowing it will get a fair bit worse and become more apparent!

 

[matt9566]

Exactly what mine sounds like Matt, yep i'm going today after work to my garage to get it on a ramp and have a listen.
Yeah I think the temperature outside isn't helping! My problem is I always think the worst case scenario, so why I am thinking big end bearings lol.

Thanks mate, sounds more promising, as like I said there really isn't any performance loss.

Not a problem Suj, we always think the worst with these cars don't we! The joys of Clio ownership lol

Fingers crossed it's just the manifold and the car will be back to full health in no time!

 

[suj]

Best way to find blowing flexi’s is have car running on a ramp or so you can get underneath it, have someone stuff a rag up both tailpipes and then if the flexi is blowing it will get a fair bit worse and become more apparent!

Thanks, will give it a try, but it should be quite clear once the car is on the ramps, if not this will be tried

Not a problem Suj, we always think the worst with these cars don't we! The joys of Clio ownership lol

Fingers crossed it's just the manifold and the car will be back to full health in no time!

Haha yeah exactly!

Thanks mate, same I hope it is as last thing I wanna do is throw nearly a grand (once I do stuff like clutch etc when it's all off lol).

 

[luke197]

I think mines on its way out as well, I notice it more at low rpm or driving past buildings were to the sound bounces off. I can only describe it as a raspy fart, like putting a card in the spokes of a push bike kind of noise.

I’m driving it to Spain in three weeks so need to get it sorted if it is broke, thinking of going with the Kam Racing manifold.

 

[suj]

I think mines on its way out as well, I notice it more at low rpm or driving past buildings were to the sound bounces off. I can only describe it as a raspy fart, like putting a card in the spokes of a push bike kind of noise.

I’m driving it to Spain in three weeks so need to get it sorted if it is broke, thinking of going with the Kam Racing manifold.

That is a great way to describe it, "card in a bike spoke" that is exactly what it is like....also that brings back memories of being a child, and also driving over a metal can and getting it stuck near the brakes and sounding like a motorbike

 

[Walker2686]

Oh dear.. I've been reading around trying to diagnose a noise mine has started making over the last couple of days, really noticed it yesterday and today.. and unfortunately it sounds exactly the same as described here!

 

[Walker2686]

Best way to find blowing flexi’s is have car running on a ramp or so you can get underneath it, have someone stuff a rag up both tailpipes and then if the flexi is blowing it will get a fair bit worse and become more apparent!

Might try this when I get in..