Can't get used to the new car

padyjoe

I've bought a new car (not a brand new, just a used one) 2.5 months ago. The engine has this VW 1.4l engine misery (the alu pistons tend to slap), I keep listening to it at every start and every turning off: is it there, not there? It's usually there, not too bad, even it might not be heard by someone else. I like the car, colour, interior and everything but this engine noise is killing me. I have a 1 year warranty on engine and gearbox. I know it won't break down in that time, I think it's rather later when things are going to happen. I planned to keep this car longer but this way I feel I cannot do it. I have had my previous car for 5 years, I don't like change things too often. Maybe it's time to change. I wonder would be a good idea to trade it in soon and getting something else? I know I'll be losing money and going to get a peace of mind. Thanks!

corks finest

padyjoe wrote: »

I've bought a new car (not a brand new, just a used one) 2.5 months ago. The engine has this VW 1.4l engine misery (the alu pistons tend to slap), I keep listening to it at every start and every turning off: is it there, not there? It's usually there, not too bad, even it might not be heard by someone else. I like the car, colour, interior and everything but this engine noise is killing me. I have a 1 year warranty on engine and gearbox. I know it won't break down in that time, I think it's rather later when things are going to happen. I planned to keep this car longer but this way I feel I cannot do it. I have had my previous car for 5 years, I don't like change things too often. Maybe it's time to change. I wonder would be a good idea to trade it in soon and getting something else? I know I'll be losing money and going to get a peace of mind. Thanks!

Turn up the radio, save your money,or get it checked out ref tappits etc

MuppetCheck

If the value of living with the car you want is greater than the value of the cash injection to you personally then swap it. If you place a higher value on the cash in the bank then keep it.

padyjoe

corks finest wrote: »

Turn up the radio, save your money,or get it checked out ref tappits etc

Unfortunately can't have the radio blaring all the time. Wish it was the tappets but I'm afraid piston no. 1 'singing'. Happens often.

@MuppetCheck

Makes sense, simple but says everything!

bazz26

OP, the only one who can really make this decision is you. You know your finances, etc. That 1.4 engine was not VW's finest moment but that's not to say every one of them gave problems.

my3cents

Is a stupid question to ask the experts if they think an oil change would help reduce the noise the OP is on about?

corks finest

my3cents wrote: »

Is a stupid question to ask the experts if they think an oil change would help reduce the noise the OP is on about?

I'm not an expert, but I don't think it's a stupid question you're asking,after all most of us here are normal blokes ,with a small/general knowledge ref cars,and im speaking personally, I learnt what I know the hard,expensive way,as when my kids were small ,all the cars I had were bangers,so I was constantly trying to keep them on the road,clutch cables snapping,engines bowing up,head gaskets going etc,no wonder I was cranky at times,ha ha,well that's one of my many excuses

padyjoe

my3cents wrote: »

Is a stupid question to ask the experts if they think an oil change would help reduce the noise the OP is on about?

Yes, it's a good question but I think it was changed not a long ago. Thinking about having a look at the oil separator it tends to clog up as well.

corks finest wrote: »

I'm not an expert, but I don't think it's a stupid question you're asking,after all most of us here are normal blokes ,with a small/general knowledge ref cars,and im speaking personally, I learnt what I know the hard,expensive way,as when my kids were small ,all the cars I had were bangers,so I was constantly trying to keep them on the road,clutch cables snapping,engines bowing up,head gaskets going etc,no wonder I was cranky at times,ha ha,well that's one of my many excuses

I'm the same like yourself, not an expert but like to get to know thing and keep them ticking over.


Thank you to all! It's down to me in the end of the day what to do, I know, but it's good to have few opinions thrown in, in order to make up one's mind. I just did a bit of enquiry what I'd be looking at. Bought this minion for 6.7k, the test was a year younger Fabia 1.4 tdi for 9k. I would get 5-5.5k and the remaining amount in cash. So it's a loss of 1.2-1.7k which a bit much to throw out. I wonder if I looked for something cheaper would be the trade in value less as well? Say below 5k?

corks finest

padyjoe wrote: »

Thank you to all! It's down to me in the end of the day what to do, I know, but it's good to have few opinions thrown in, in order to make up one's mind. I just did a bit of enquiry what I'd be looking at. Bought this minion for 6.7k, the test was a year younger Fabia 1.4 tdi for 9k. I would get 5-5.5k and the remaining amount in cash. So it's a loss of 1.2-1.7k which a bit much to throw out. I wonder if I looked for something cheaper would be the trade in value less as well? Say below 5k?

Had a 1.2 fabia,was vv happy with it,anyway good luck with whatever u choose.

padyjoe

Thank you! I have 1.4 Fabia at the moment.

colm_mcm

The 3 cylinder 1.4 diesel Engine sounds like a bag of spanners though.

http://youtu.be/eIfadzBxUMs

Gael23

It is a little rough sounding but bullet proof reliability more than makes up for it.
To answer the OP's question, that financial hit would be too much for me personally. I would try and live with it for a few months and then it might seem so bad to hand over the money.

colm_mcm

The op is bothered by the tappety noise from a 1.4 petrol one though, getting one of the roughest sounding Diesel engines out there to get away from rattly engines wouldn't make any sense.

padyjoe

colm_mcm wrote: »

The op is bothered by the tappety noise from a 1.4 petrol one though, getting one of the roughest sounding Diesel engines out there to get away from rattly engines wouldn't make any sense.

You got me there Colm! Maybe I've gone too mad now?

You see this is why I like boards.ie! There are always few helpful and knowledgeable persons around who put you in the right place

Bit off topic: I wonder is it stupid to give a 'thumbs up' to everyone for their input? I'm grateful to read them.

John T Carroll

padyjoe wrote: »

I've bought a new car (not a brand new, just a used one) 2.5 months ago. The engine has this VW 1.4l engine misery (the alu pistons tend to slap), I keep listening to it at every start and every turning off: is it there, not there? It's usually there, not too bad, even it might not be heard by someone else. I like the car, colour, interior and everything but this engine noise is killing me. I have a 1 year warranty on engine and gearbox. I know it won't break down in that time, I think it's rather later when things are going to happen. I planned to keep this car longer but this way I feel I cannot do it. I have had my previous car for 5 years, I don't like change things too often. Maybe it's time to change. I wonder would be a good idea to trade it in soon and getting something else? I know I'll be losing money and going to get a peace of mind. Thanks!

What year/Kms is on it?
Is it using oil?
Has it got a full service history?

Its fair going to identify a piston slap from Number 1 piston, I once identified a tappity sound on one of those engines as coming from a broken support bracket for the air filter inlet, its still going strong at 150k miles.

The 1.4 engine certainly may not have been one of VW finest but I will be surprised if the one in my family from new doesnt do 200K miles.

As suggested by someone else bring it to another garage and get their opinion on that sound.

I suppose at the end of the day if you still have it in your head that there is something wrong then you should try and drive the best deal you can get from your original garage, the best of luck to you.

Special Circumstances

I have a subaru which is prone to a bit of slap and various other problems. But I like it all the same.

I think the only way to suffer a vw 1.4 is in blissful ignorance. Once you've taken the red pill, looked behind the VW curtain...

If you're not happy get rid of it. Plenty decent (less popular perhaps) cars to be had for the price of peoples wagen.

padyjoe

John T Carroll wrote: »

What year/Kms is on it?
Is it using oil?
Has it got a full service history?

Yes, it has FSH but there's a break for 1.5 years, the 1st owner had sold it late 2013 and the 2nd one had it for that time AFAIK. I don't see any oil usage but checking it regularly (done 2k kms already). It's an '09 with 63k kms on clock.


@Special Circumstances

Yes, I've taken the red pill and VW is dragging me down into the swamp. Maybe I worry too much. (Driven a Yaris for 5 years, that 1.0l been reliable and trusty to me. Wanted a more grunt and excitement. I guess I got it now.)

colm_mcm

you gained 12bhp for 40% more engine and more weight

padyjoe

Don't get me more embarrassed Colm! (68 vs 86 hp and 95 vs 132 Nm!!) There's some gain alright! I know should've bought a ufo Civic 1.8 with 140 ponies but one has to keep their ranks. Small steps get you there.

John T Carroll

padyjoe wrote: »

Yes, it has FSH but there's a break for 1.5 years, the 1st owner had sold it late 2013 and the 2nd one had it for that time AFAIK. I don't see any oil usage but checking it regularly (done 2k kms already). It's an '09 with 63k kms on clock.

At 63K kms or just over 40K miles its unlikely that there are any problems due to servicing abuse even allowing for the 1.5 year gap. I have travelled in numerous friends VWs with this engine of various years/mileage and with a small "mileage" like yours they are a very quiet/smooth sounding engine while idling, I would still just emphasize what I suggested originally.