I saw someone on the car show with a classic 80ies phone.. That was hilarious!

 

I doubt the metallic sound is catalytic converters. If they were plugged and crumbling you wouldn't have been able to rev like that. Been there, done that.

My first suspects could be the rear transmission mount. There is a locating pin that points vertically and it fits through a foam bush. over time the foam breaks down and you can have a metal against metal rattle. Other than being annoying, it doesn't harm anything. Other thing is that the exhaust is packed very tightly under there, if the rear of the transmission is moving, you could have having the exhaust touch a heat shield, which is sheet metal. Again, annoying and lots of noise, but not harmful.

If it doesn't make the noise under 3000 rpm, I'd be happy to drive in that range.

 

Here is the sound of a broken up catalytic converter with the engine at idle. Sort of sounds like rocks in a washing machine.

 

If that is the case, I shall be quite miffed at the garage, since the transmission was fully overhauled last year at great expense, and if they didn't bother replacing the bush when they put it back, that is very slack of them.

I have to admit, it doesn't sound unlike that catalytic converter video, but the car certainly can accelerate, surprisingly rapidly when I use the kickdown. The first time I was so surprised I backed off almost immediately, as I suddenly found myself flying past the other traffic at a rate which would attract police attention.

At any rate, armed with all this information, I shall be in a better position to discuss the issue with the mechanic.

 

go get the timing checked and set correctly and then make sure you have good octane gas. Start there and then start working backwards otherwise you are just chasing "what if's."

The good news is that is apparently drives fine under 3000 rpm, which on my car is about 80 mph. If there was a significant mechanical problem I doubt that would be possible for very long.

 

Timing is definitely the issue I'll mention first. I wonder if this could be connected with the spark plug lead the garage replaced with one they adapted from one lying around (saving them having to charge me for a new set). It's from the front coil to the dizzy. At any rate, I have a new set of upgraded ones from RockAuto, so I'll get them to fit those anyway.

And yes, even at 120 kph or more, there's no rattle.

 

What is the status of your fuel strategy link plug. Whatever it is at the moment you might try it in the alternative position and see if it runs any differently.
Other than that link l can see no way for your timing to be out. It is not something that can be altered ordinarily in a Marelli car.

 

Hi Someday

This is no more than a 'Shot in the Dark' just wondering if the Bearings on the Water Pump might have gone?

When they went on my Merc there was a very definite metallic ringing sound.

 

Is that what's being referenced in https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...-intake-56530/?

 

Thanks for the suggestion. I do know that the garage said the start-up whine was probably bad air pump bearings - another thing they said would cost to fix, and since it stops after no more than a minute (and doesn't happen when the engine is warm), I have left it for now.

 

no. On RHD vehicle (assume same place on LHD) it is in the vicinity of rear L/H of motor. Plug with loop cap, wires enter but don't come out. It is a simple link that changes timing map slightly for different octane fuel. Link installed is high octane and removed is low octane

 

Should be dangling around the ABS pump. Mostly with a red plug...

 

Thanks to everyone for their advice and suggestions, and sorry this update is so late.

Turns out it was the right muffler hitting the body. With that fixed, I am now able to rev her up to 5,500 rpm (current record: lack of empty straight roads is a problem) and she sings sweetly. Very nice.

I'm sure another problem will crop up soon, of course. My wife just rolls her eyes these days - like today, when then passenger door handle got stuck and she couldn't unlock her door: the outside handle was stuck in the up position somehow. Fixed easily, and CRC (WD-40) applied to wherever looked sensible, but it's always been stiff. Like Lady Mary Crawley's upper lip. The car certainly keeps you on your toes....

Anyway, thanks again. Much appreciated.