00 passat tdi engine making clicking sounds

wazzoraybelle · 08-09-2009 11:59AM #1

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 · 08-09-2009 12:22PM

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 · 08-09-2009 01:19PM

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 · 08-09-2009 01:20PM

tappets going mad? Have you checked your oil?

wazzoraybelle · 08-09-2009 03:36PM

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 · 08-09-2009 04:50PM

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 · 08-09-2009 06:42PM

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 · 08-09-2009 07:25PM

It's yearning for a remap to 386bhp

peasant · 08-09-2009 07:39PM

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 · 09-09-2009 02:56AM

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

teednab-el · 15-09-2009 12:40AM

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 · 15-09-2009 02:32AM

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 · 06-10-2009 12:34AM

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

Mr Benevolent · 06-10-2009 06:31AM

wazzoraybelle wrote: »

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

Yikes. Just as well that was spotted.

00 passat tdi engine making clicking sounds

Comments