Hi All,

Bought a nice 51 VRS last Friday with 82k miles with a fairly impressive history to go with it. Having owned various cars, including most recently an Audi A6 Quattro, i really please with how it handles and its performance/economy. It has no mods that i am aware of and am happy with it as it is, at least for a while.

Due to replace rear discs and pads later this week, but one issue i have is that on start up it makes quite a loud noise for the first couple fo seconds, almost like i am running a diesel engine car, then it is absolutely fine. Having conducted a search it seems as though it might be the starter, which is also referenced in a 70k service by Skoda that the starter was noisy.

Assuming this is likely to be the issue, i understand the fix is to clean the starter up rather than replace, although i have seen a new starter for £64, which seems pretty cheap and thought this might be an easier/quicker solution?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320520581678&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Having never done this work before, i wondered what time was involved and what steps i would need to follow?

Any help/views appreciated.

The start up noise is most likely to be the secondary air pump,which if you search on here can be repaired quite easily,(there is a link to a good guide on how to do it on the MKiv owners club somewhere)or it can in fact be removed,as a few on here have done just that.

Does sound like the secondary air pump but it's nothing to worry about, it just gets the engine up to temp. The noise is caused by the rivets corroding over time, creating a gap in the seal. It can be fixed by drilling out the rivets and bolting it properly but it won't do any harm to the engine if you don't

Thanks chaps. I can't believe i didn't 'discover' the VRS much sooner, but glad i got there in the end.

Found the guide on repairing secondary air pump...............

http://uk-mkivs.net/forums/t/141240.aspx

If you mean like a quick "graunching" noise just after you turn the key then thats the starter motor.

If you mean a louder noise (bit like a vacuum cleaner) that lasts for over a minute then thats the secondary air pump.

Good to see another local member, what colour is your car?

If you mean like a quick "graunching" noise just after you turn the key then thats the starter motor.

If you mean a louder noise (bit like a vacuum cleaner) that lasts for over a minute then thats the secondary air pump.

Good to see another local member, what colour is your car?

Thanks. It is a short noise like starting a diesel engine then is fine after a couple of seconds, so i reckon it is the starter. Mine is silver. I didn't really place too high priority on colour and would have preferred red or yellow TBH, as i have recently had 2 silver cars and just fancied a change, but the car seemed the right one for the money. :yes:

Does it have a tiny Nurburgring sticker on the back? I keep seeing a silver one around Tonbridge

Look out for me (silver, reg GK52 ***) on your travels and also Ant (silver, reg KR54 ***)

Does it have a tiny Nurburgring sticker on the back? I keep seeing a silver one around Tonbridge

Look out for me (silver, reg GK52 ***) on your travels and also Ant (silver, reg KR54 ***)

No stickers, only just bought it from Salisbury.

Will keep an eye out.

It sounds like the starter to me. If it's that, I wouldn't worry about it. Mine did it also when I bought the car, I lubricated it some months after, it was quiet for about 3 months and then it started again. I just don't mind it now anymore ;p

Excellent. Replaced the rear discs and pads this morning for £50, using mintex brake box. Discs were badly scored and rusted. Then had an interim service at a local VW specialist just to make sure of no other issues and the starter wasn't even mentioned, just needed a new drop link one side, so petty pleased all round.

i have had my octy vrs3 years & my starter makes a grinding sound for about 1 second ofter turning the key.its done it since i got it .it only hapens a few times a week.not every time

My starter does it now and then as well, i am not that bothered about so wont be doing anything about it lol