Loud clattering noise - worse when cold

[aneng]

My wife's '03 TDDi has a terrible clattering noise when running. It's much worse when the engine is cold and will completely disappear after a good run. It's not internal to the engine as it's very clear and sharp. It sounds like something's going on with a pulley.

Any ideas ?

Ta!

[metalworker0]

There is a fault on all transits and most other vehicles once they reach a certain age -- that is the crankshaft pulley has rubber in it ...as a damper . the rubber deteriorates then it separates and pulley can end up falling off.

The tddi part number, that is is early TDDI

1151392

Some i believe did not have this torsional damper pulley, so take a look to see if the pulley is partly made of rubber ..cracking ..cracked , loose or nearly falling off. the rubber is as sort of an insert that is probably a half inch thick or so.

Think you'll need to take a lower plastic guard off .

if not that, then you are taking the auxiliary belt off ..and checking: alternator, steering pump, water pump and belt tensioner pulley for wear and sloppiness and roughness , noise when turning ..if it has AC then you'll also be checking the pump. You'll also be replacing the belt if it looks rough worn or cracked. carefully inspect each unit ..take a good look at them if water pump is failing you'll see crystallised antifreeze near or around its pulley.

see here

https://www.catcar.info/ford/?lang=en&l ... EzMw%3D%3D


all the best.mark

[08SWB-connectOwner]

My wife's '03 TDDi has a terrible clattering noise when running. It's much worse when the engine is cold and will completely disappear after a good run. It's not internal to the engine as it's very clear and sharp. It sounds like something's going on with a pulley.

Any ideas ?

Ta!

Mine has the same thing. It's likely the clutch release bearing, or the dual mass flywheel.

You can confirm this by depressing the clutch. The sound should go away.

It's not a very dangerous failure, but naturally you'd want to get it fixed before something actually breaks.
Not an expensive part, but because the gearbox has to come off, I highly recommend replacing the clutch itself as well.