Hello I run a 52 plate 1.8T vRS with 28,000 miles, fantastic car. But I have recently noticed that on cold mornings when first starting the car there is a loud clatter / rattle sound for a second or two. It only ever does it first thing in the morning. If you start the car, turn it off and then start it again it starts normally with no noise. It doesn't make the noise everyday and sometimes it is louder than others. I left the car with the Skoda dealer over night but they claim they couldn't hear anything. Has anyone else had this problem, could it be the starter motor?

This car is the best practical fun car money can buy !

Hydraulic lifters, probably. They all do it. Don't worry! It's not a fault.

They all do that, sir

It's the hydraulic lifters, as posted by matchmaker. It's also in our FAQ.

Welcome :wavey:

Yep, mine does it now and again

I'd say the more likely cause is the hydraulic damper/adjuster for the cam chain.

Pretty common.

I'd say the more likely cause is the hydraulic damper/adjuster for the cam chain.

Pretty common.

Thought we had cam belts :confused:

Thought we had cam belts :confused:

You have both, arent you lucky.

Is it belt drive to one cam and the others chained off that one, Ross?

You have both, arent you lucky.

Really !!! How does that work then? I guess if the belt snaps it still knacks the engine though...

Nick is right.

The cambelt drives the exhaust camshaft, this then drives the inlet cam by means of a chain. This chain has a hydraulic adjuster on it which can rattle until its full with oil. It is also this adjuster that has a small solenoid on it on the variable timing models and by altering the height of the adjuster is can control valve timing advance/retard to a small degree.

I have taken it back to the dealer and suggested it could be the cam chain damper or the pneumatic secondary pump thingy. Even left it with the dealer overnight and they say they can't find anything wrong with it. All I know is that It didn't make this noise when I got it in July 2004 (with 22,000 miles on the clock). Any comments

I think I have the same problem, it the sort of noise you would expect if the

radiator fan were slightly touching the radiator as it rotated or possibility even a slipping belt. As you say it only lasts for 10 secs max and only occurs first thing in the morning. But I have to say that I can't believe that a noise like this is normal and nothing to worry about. It sounds awful for those few seconds. Could it be anything else?