Vibration noise coming from either the center or the passenger side front end.
I have an 02 MCS with an after-market exhaust. I can make this noise happen if I start off in second gear, which, of course I don't do. I've been reading these posts on worn out hangers, brake stuff, tire problems. I don't know what to do. I have 41,000 miles. I live on a dirt road, but I take it as softly as I can. Everytime I've taken it in and it's up on a lift, the answer is the same, "Can't see a thing." So what do you folks think? -- Thanks

 

I bet it's a busted motor mount. Open the bonnet and look at the can shaped object on the passenger side of the engine. If there's an oil smear on the frame rail....that's the culprit. It happens a lot, and the noise is a slight rattle or thump coming from the passenger side. Seems to be more active on semi smooth surfaces like gravel parking lots, etc. Do a search, there are lots of pics of this leakage.

Rawhyde

 

Thanks for your reply. I checked and it is not a busted motor mount. It's a deep-sounding vibration -- only when I start off. Can't hear it when I'm driving.

 

Search for some threads on problems with the dual mass flywheel. Those things have been known to cause problems in the earlier models.

Rawhyde

 

I read the dual mass flywheel info. I don't think that's what theproblem is for me. I have a deep vibrational noise. Has nothing to do with the clutch or with changing gears. I can replicate the noise by starting out slowly in second, which of course I don't do. It just a deep vibration. Goes away when I'm driving. Any other ideas.

 

I've got the same sound now in my Mini. I only getting if I bog down the engine, either by not over-revving when taking off or by letting the RPMs drop when I'm in second (usually in traffic). I get a metallic rattle sound from under the car.

I'm hoping to bring the car into the dealership sometime next week to have it addressed along with dash rattles inside the car.

 

I get the sound if I bog down launching. It comes from the back and sounds like metal on metal. I believe it's just the exhaust rattling on something

 

Just taking a flyer here... Maybe you guys just need to get the engine speed up a bit more when taking off. Our little cars are slightly heavy for just a 1.6L enigne. And the supercharger is no help at low rpm. I could be off base here, but just try using more rpm to see what happens.

 

It turned out that the rattle sound I was getting was a loose heat shield. The dealership tightened it up and it's not nearly as bad now. I may bring it back though, as the rattle is starting to return.