Very recently acquired a very nice 1992 240 Wagon with ~220000 for my wife (our second!). Car had been religiously maintained by the dealership (3k mile oil change intervals, extensive service history--all major services performed until car was parked). Car drives very well (recent complete front end, drives tight!), and after a throttle body clean, oil change and a Seafoam treatment though vaccuum line and gas runs very well.

The only issue is a rattle/knock noise coming from what seems to be the drivers side, lower in the engine bay. I've linked to a Youtube video I took today before cleaning the throttle body and running Seafoam through the intake. As in the video, seems to occur mostly at deceleration after revving, but also at certain RPMS (no tach, so can't specify)during let-off of the throttle. At idle it seems to be more of an inconsistent slight/quiet tapping noise. It seems to be most prevalent at cold start, but never totally goes away at operating temperature. When heard in the cabin, it sounds like its originating from fore of the transmission well.

Here's the link to the video that you can clearly hear the rattle:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-vfXqQtalo

Any suggestions or ideas would be greatly appriciated!

Many Thanks,

A. Dowst

Have you tried revving the engine by turning the throttle cable spool on the intake manifold? You may be able to localize the rattle better.
--
1980 245 Canadian B21A with SU carb but electronic ignition and M46 trans in Brampton, Ont.

Mostly I here the door chime...

Not sure which noise you are looking to identify. Sounds like a combination of misaligned belts from worn accessory bushings and standard B230 piston slap to me. If it is, some cars are worse than other even when warm.

Me 1990 beater is almost devoid of piston slap after a good long highway run were it is thoroughly warmed up for a decently long period of time. It sounds like a coffee can full of nuts a-on cold starts until the neddle leaves the peg ont the temp gauge. The rest of the time it sounds like yours without most of the belt noise.

My old B21's were silent by comparison and my the B230ft on my 1990 760 turbo could not be heard in the cabin except for the first 3-4 miles after start-up.