Just been told what I thought to be an engine rattle is a flexi plate rattle now I'm not into getting my hands dirty anyone know how big and expensive job this is to replace? Thanks folks

Usually the brake disc mud shields rattle got them on mine to do. Well covered on this superb forum. Don't know about flexi plate rattle unless it's something I haven't heard about. Hope this helps.
Greg.

Flex plate rattle could be the flex plate which is between the flywheel and torque convertor.
If that is the case, to replace it is a gearbox out.

Steve. 1968 Series IIA Pastel Green, nearly there project

B y hell that sounds expensive.

Yep, flex plate is between TC and box, gearbox out job....

Get under there and give the catalytic converters a whack, the insides work loose and this can sound just the same... Pete
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2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Sold
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2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green (Fatty Offroader) Sold
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If it is only on start up, the starter motors are prone to rattle too

As above the flex plate bolts the torque converter to the crank (equivalent of a flywheel).
Rattle in that area can be down to loose bolts or cracked plate.
The flex plate to torque convertor bolts can be checked for tightness without removing anything.
The flex plate to crank bolts can only be checked with the gearbox removed.

I had a similar rattle and ended up taking the gearbox off (and got the torque converter rebuilt at the same time, worth doing if around 100k miles and never been done) only to end up with the same issue as I couldn't find a problem. It only cost me £150 to get the torque converter rebuilt plus cost of replacing the gearbox oil so about £250-£300. A garage will likely charge around £800 for the same.

I'm now thinking the rattle is from the front end i.e. timing chain. In the next couple of weeks I'm replacing the timing chain and guides plus rebuilding the VANOS. Total cost about £1500 including tools, Garage would be about £3k for the same job.
That's for M62 V8, TD6 shouldn't need the above, I don't think they have issues with the timing chain and guides.
Flex plate on the TD6 only has 3 securing bolts to the TC compared to 4 on the M62 so more likely that's the issue.
Could just be a case of tightening a bolt.

thank you for the info its booked in for monday morning so need to wait and see

Yes been confirmed I got a cracked flex plate new one being fitted tomorrow £650 all in ouch ,I was wondering ( I didn't think to ask at the time) will the gearbox need to be emptied of oil and refilled to do this?

I don't think it would be necessary, but probably good practice, for the cost of a new torque convertor I'd get that changed depending on the mileage.... Pete
__________________________________________________
2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Sold
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green (Fatty Offroader) Sold
-Click for Project Fatty off roader-