Hi, I was after some advice. I have had my new Octavia 1.8TSI L&K Hatch for about 3 weeks and 1,000 miles.

I am finding the engine quite noisy a bit like diesel clatter although gruffer. It’s fine under low revs and low boost or cruising on the motorway, but once the revs raise to about 2,000 – 2,500 or quite bit of throttle is used then it trums away…It’s as though it’s an extra noise superimposed over the normal turbo boost noises.

I don’t remember it doing this for the first week or so, but I was obviously running it in then although I still haven’t gone above 4,000 revs.

I test drove a 1.4 TSI (both dealers I had contact with had never seen a 1.8 TSI) and only remember it getting noisy at high revs in low gear, certainly much higher revs that I have used so far. I was expecting the noise to be similar to my old MK IV Golf GTI that also had a 1.8 Turbo engine, but it’s no where near as refined under load. Am I expecting too much? My last car was a 6 cylinder BMW petrol so possibly nothing will measure up. Both of those cars had pad on the bonnet though unlike the Skoda

It certainly shouldn't sound like diesel! Mine is very quiet, you can hardly hear the engine at 4000rpm.

It certainly shouldn't sound like diesel! Mine is very quiet, you can hardly hear the engine at 4000rpm.

What gear is that in and is that under load or just cruising? It's quiet cruising, although I have not quite got it up to 4,000 Revs yet.

I've had mine up to 5500 rpm in 3rd and 4th recently, just for an occasional kick, and it feels like a really good sports car, plenty of "good" sound but no undue noise!

It certainly shouldn't sound like diesel! Mine is very quiet, you can hardly hear the engine at 4000rpm.

I have had my 1.8TSI Scout since May and done about 3,000 miles it is very quiet under any circumstances idle or acceleration. I have had 1.9TDI Xtrail's for last 3 cars so maybe I am comparing it with them ,which were a little noisy when cold.

I would ask the dealer to check it out ASAP if I were you.

Our 1.8TSi Elegance is also very quiet and refined, with no unpleasant sounds at all from the engine.

I would agree with others and get it checked out asap - it might be something very simple such as a leak in the induction or exhaust systems.

regards

P.

I have 1.8TSI L&K - about 400 miles so far. It is so quiet that I would stand little chance of using a manual box as I would have no idea what the revs were (while watching the road !!) (Mine is DSG). I've never been in a car whose engine is so quiet (at all revs) - so something on yours needs checking out.

I've had mine up to 5500 rpm in 3rd and 4th recently, just for an occasional kick, and it feels like a really good sports car, plenty of "good" sound but no undue noise!

I second that. I've done nearly 3,000 miles in 7 weeks and only in first gear and a little less on second gear going over 4-5000rpm does the engine sound a bit rough, but no way diesel like.

Otherwise on other gears on any amount of revs up to nearly red-line, sounds lovely and quiet, thought I wouldn't mind having the sound insulation under the bonnet.

I have 1.8TSI L&K - about 400 miles so far. It is so quiet that I would stand little chance of using a manual box as I would have no idea what the revs were (while watching the road !!) (Mine is DSG). I've never been in a car whose engine is so quiet (at all revs) - so something on yours needs checking out.

My 1.8 Elegance is very quiet in fact I have to check the rev counter to see if the engine is on.

What gear is that in and is that under load or just cruising? It's quiet cruising, although I have not quite got it up to 4,000 Revs yet.

Even 2nd gear where you have little wind or road noise. On my previous cars, you'd know about it at 4000rpm in second, in this one, you hardly notice (though what it sounds like on the outside is another matter!).

This 1.8 engine is one of the best petrol engines I have had in a car (and I've had a lot.) I'd go as far as to describe it sensational - it's that good. Something obviously very wrong with yours, take it to the dealer asap - perhaps something simple like an exhaust clamp loose?

Thanks guys,

Predictably it was not as bad this morning. When I say like a diesel it's not as noisy as a PD engine. Just that kind of effect. It was just sounding a bit raspy between 2,000 and 2,500 revs this morning. Look's like I will have to take it to the dealer. Although as they have never even seen a 1.8 TSI I am not sure they will know what normal sounds like.

I suspect it's just a lose cover or manifold as it only happens at certain revs or if the engine is under load. As such I suspect there will be no error code etc. So wish me luck.

Simon

We brought our 1.8TSi with DSG from Bedford dealer after testing the service managers pre-facelift manual version last year and I am disappointed at the rather

rattly noise of the engine especially at idle. I would agree with your description of it sounding almost diesel like but not as bad as the true diesels we had

to test to see how the DSG box.

My 1.8tsi Scout, bought new in January is very quiet. in terms of the engine. I added the under bonnet sound pad(not fitted to petrol engines) to cut down on the road noise - are you sure this is not road noise, which can be very intrusive on some road surfaces. Mine is much better siince adding soundproofing in the boot area etc.

OK I have been doing some research and driving.....

HarryLime

I certainly have quite a lot of surface dependent road noise, apparently my car having Bridgestones is not helping here and I will probably get some sound insulation. What did you fit in the boot? Also do you know the code for the bonnet pad?

However the raspy / thrummy vibration I have between 2,500 and 3,000 revs under medium load apparently happens on a lot of TSI engines due to the design of the down pipe. I will certainly keep an eye (ear) on it and may take it back to the dealer however it appears that the good news is my engine is not going to blow up, but the bad news is there is no cure that VW will admit to. Saying it's a characteristic.

The problem is that I have now recognised this "characteristic" and it's going to bug me.

I think it's fair to say that it's only the aural aspects of the car I am having trouble with. I have two rattles as well (drivers sun visor and the Binnacle / Steering wheel adjustment )and I am not very impressed with the speakers position making the high frequency not mix with the other parts of the audio range.

Other than that the cars great, nice low speed grunt from the engine, comfortable seats, solid build lots of kit. So hopefully these sound issues can be fixed / masked etc..

Simon

Hi from Yetiland.......

I would agree with you that the TSi does sound a bit 'diesely' it's the same in my Yeti, I'd tend to agree that it's a charasteristic of the engine rather than a fault, my Mrs pointed it out to me soon after we got snowmonster. Certainly the engines' note is gruffer than the 'old' 1.8 Turbo in my previous Octavia VRs although overall Yeti is a much quieter car to be in. :yes: