I have noticed that when my wife's 1.2 TSi estate is left for a few days when it is initially started the top of the engine sounds "dry" for a few seconds until the oil gets to it.  I was wondering if others have observed this and what effect it will have on the longevity of the engine?

Mine does the same and so does my dads yeti, both 1.2 tsi. I think its pretty normal.

Check with dealer. There should be no chain rattle on start up.

 

Early 1.2Tsi's had faulty camchains/tensioners that led to chain rattle on startup. In worst case the chain jumps the sprocket and damages the engine. I've heard it a couple of times on my son's 2011 octavia, but not on this new fabia we got.

 

I believe its due to a worn or broken ratchet on the hydraulic tensioner.

^^^
Indeed, it is an issue that affects certain 1.2 Tsi engines.  It might be worth contacting your dealer and see what they have to say.

I have had two 1.2 tsi's an (86) ps and now a (105)ps both have sounded like this on first start up or left for a couple of days

Think the OP means cam tap in the head.

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Our early production TSI 85 (2010) used to 'buzz' quite a lot on initial start up after being left a few days, particularly in cold weather. Late 2012 Monte TSI 86 still does similar but very much more muted and less obvious.

 

 

TP

Our 1.2 yeti does it.The revs rise slightly at the same time. It's already had a recall done on the chain with the previous owner. I don't know what to make of it. Some people say it's just how these engines are and others say it's the timing chain fault.

Mine did it when I took it out for the test drive. Had it sent to Horton's Lincoln for a report before I bought it. They reported everything fine with the chain gave it a clean bill of health and stated it was the fuel pumps making the tapping noise which (they said) was normal.

Got to say I haven't heard it since and just put it down to the first start up after standing in the showroom for a week or two.

Hi Skoda Bob, it depends on what you mean by the engine sounding 'dry'. There are several noises engines make at startup if left for a few days. These can be worse in colder weather too. horkin is right about the fuel pump making a little noise so ignore that. That's a clicking/tapping sound. I suspect what you are probably referring to are the hydraulic tappets that rattle at start up when the car has been left for a few days. The rattle comes from the top of the engine for a second or two and you can hear the oil getting round and the rattling stopping as each one pressurises. In reality this happens quite quickly. It doesn't only affect the 1.2tsi, it's potentially any engine with hydraulic tappets. My own 1.6 16v tiptronic occasionally  makes a hydraulic tappet rattle after being left for a week. This lasts just 2 seconds and is gone. In normal use it never makes the noise on daily start ups. Just when left for a few days. Hydraulic tappet noise is of no concern whatsoever, does no damage at all, and can be ignored unless it starts to happen daily or frequently on hot starts or when the engine is running at normal temperature. The other noise owners complain about is the noise of the pistons rattling just after start up from cold, and a swooshing noise coming from the engine at idle when cold after start up. The piston rattle is normal and goes away as the engine warms. It's the piston skirts 'fluttering' in the cylinder bores at idle and low revs until they expand with the engine heating up. Modern lightweight pistons do that and is of no concern whatsoever. The swoshing noise is the sound of the oil in the bores forming a 'hydraulic' seal around the piston rings and goes away as the engine warms up. 

 

If you are concerned about the noise do tell your dealer as others are saying. We cannot hear your noise, but I bet it's nothing to worry about. The tsi engines are brilliant a now trouble free.