# Muffler rattling noise when shifting and at idle 03 mini cooper **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [August 28, 2007, 4:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/muffler-rattling-noise-when-shifting-and-at-idle-03-mini-cooper/3803 "2007-08-28T16:11:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![danieljacoboa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bc79bd/32.png) [@danieljacoboa](https://community.cartalk.com/u/danieljacoboa)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2007, 4:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/muffler-rattling-noise-when-shifting-and-at-idle-03-mini-cooper/3803/1 "2007-08-28T16:11:54Z")
I have a manual 03 mini cooper S, in the benining i noticed a vibration or rattling kinda noise when i went trough 2000 revolutions +/- but not when im going less or more than those revolutions, like if the noise came from underneath , a rattling noise, and today i noticed that when idle in neutral i could hear something rattling underneath the car , so i checked and it seemed like the muffler was shaking or something. what could this be and how can i fix it? i really appreciate your help guys. ---
**Author:** ![danieljacoboa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bc79bd/32.png) [@danieljacoboa](https://community.cartalk.com/u/danieljacoboa)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2007, 4:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/muffler-rattling-noise-when-shifting-and-at-idle-03-mini-cooper/3803/2 "2007-08-28T16:14:05Z")
also when im going fast at 5th or 6th gear the rattling noise does not come anymore. it just does it when im crossing the 2000 revolution mark and around. i have not experienced any loss of power or anything funny in the car, its just that rattling shaking noise :S help ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2007, 4:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/muffler-rattling-noise-when-shifting-and-at-idle-03-mini-cooper/3803/3 "2007-08-28T16:23:55Z")
While it is possible that an exhaust component is loose, it is more likely that you simply have a loose heat shield. When the car is put on a lift, it can be checked for both conditions. A loose heat shield is annoying, but not dangerous. However, a loose exhaust pipe can lead to CO poisoning, so this should definitely be checked out. ---
**Author:** ![danieljacoboa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bc79bd/32.png) [@danieljacoboa](https://community.cartalk.com/u/danieljacoboa)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2007, 11:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/muffler-rattling-noise-when-shifting-and-at-idle-03-mini-cooper/3803/4 "2007-08-28T23:45:36Z")
thanks for your reply, i will try to take my car tomorrow for a check up, mini coopers are so small its hard to check under by my self :P, i need a ramp. i hope its just a loose muffler shield