00 passat tdi engine making clicking sounds

wazzoraybelle

Can anyone help me diagnose this? the engine seems to be making a clicking sound which is especially noticable when idling. for all the world it sounds like it is playing the spoons badly!
It first started after towing a heavy trailer, its a 90bhp. Thanks.

supersaint3

my 1.3 diesel astra is doing this to, it's a wire hitting off the aircon pump with the vibration of the engine, if that's any help

GTE

I know the engines generally do make a tapping noise for the first few seconds after you turn them on. Oil in the engine isnt fully up to pressure for a few seconds so you get a cam and follower tapping noise I believe. But if you are getting something like that then it sounds a little more serious. If I gave a totally uneducated stab at it I would think maybe there isnt enough oil in the engine?
I think if you search the forums at www.tdiclub.com you should find something from experts though.

smash

tappets going mad? Have you checked your oil?

wazzoraybelle

The oil is fine, I've only had the car for 2 months. just had another look and the noise is coming from around the alternator, can an alternator make this kind of noise? The timing belt was done just before I got the car. I had to buy a new battery for it straight away but have had no other issues since. There are no warning lights showing on the dash. Thanks

pred racer

Ive had this on 2 different cars (neither a passat unfortunately) on a vectra it only happened when very cold and it turned out all.....yes all the bearings on the timing belt pulleys had failed.
on a pug 406 a tiny sliver had peeled off the alternator belt and was hitting the engine as it went round (but you could only hear it at idle)
So from my experience, get it checked out straight away.
Hopefully its something simple.
Edit: before someone else says it........how did you hear it over the VW/MF tractor engine

Tom1991

my advice might not be correct so dont take it for gospel but my 00 polo classic had that after being idle 3 weeks and i cleaned the throttle body and gave it a good long run and now she purrs

Henry Ford III

It's yearning for a remap to 386bhp

peasant

Tom1991 wrote: »

my advice might not be correct so dont take it for gospel but my 00 polo classic had that after being idle 3 weeks and i cleaned the throttle body and gave it a good long run and now she purrs

no throttle on a dweezil

my attempt at getting it wrong:

It started after a heavy tow? How is the gearshift going these days? All engaging/disengaging as it should ..all gears staying in? Because it could also be a clutch bearing that's on the way out.

BTW ..the alternator also has bearings that can fail

wazzoraybelle

gears seem fine and it's driving well,will get it checked out tomorrow. Thanks for the suggestions.

teednab-el

I know a friend of mine who had an 00 Audi A4 and he also has something liek this happening in his car. It sounds like something tipping off the alternator or something.

Gary ITR

Henry Ford III wrote: »

It's yearning for a remap to 386bhp

Making the same joke in every single thread about TDI's is getting boring now and you should know they can achieve way over 400BHP and if it's in an Octavia it's coupled with a huge boot

wazzoraybelle

turns out the water pump was knackered. Thanks for the input.

Mr Benevolent

wazzoraybelle wrote: »

turns out the water pump was knackered. Thanks for the input.

Yikes. Just as well that was spotted.