2.0 tfsi engine noise

[Jam2487]

Hi all. This is my first post having picked up my 2006 vrs from an independent dealer last week. The engine sounds as rough as a tractor. Quiet and smooth when cold but as it warms up it sounds rough and there are some tapping noises from the engine bay. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Fwjp9onpNqs its already back at the dealer for them to sort but was interested on what peoples thoughts are on what the problem is?

[dakar]

Hydraulic lifter on fuel pump?

[Mr G 76]

As above, the high pressure fuel pump on the TFSI engine (nearside front of the engine block ) is really 'tappy'.

Its especially noticable if the car has an induction kit fitted and therefore doesnt have an engine cover ,and/or doesn't have the bonnet insulation kit.

As a side note, the cam follower in the fuel pump is known to wear and can cause damage to the camshaft. Its worth getting this checked out for piece of mind.

[Jam2487]

Thanks both for your replies, I had read a bit about these engines making some interesting noises but just thought this one sounded unhealthy. Had it looked at by an independent VAG specialist who also wasn't happy with the noises. From the initial inspection after taking the rocker cover off he told me that there had previously been some head work which may have indicated a problem somebody had tried to solve previously. Perhaps even a failed cambelt.. To be sure, he wanted to strip the head to check. Unsurprisingly the dealer i bought it from would rather carry out any repairs at his place rather than at the VAG due to costs. I just hope its thoroughly checked. Very much appreciate your thoughts, i may guide them in the direction of cam followers. On top of all this when taking the car the 50miles back to the dealer i noticed the car not getting up to temperature sitting at around 70-80 degrees. Is this likely a failing thermostat? Also while I'm at it, the car feels gutless at low revs. is this normal? Ive come from a remapped mondeo ST diesel which had bags of torque but even so, i was quite surprised at the lack of acceleration low in the rev range.. Perhaps i just need to readjust back into the petrol way of driving!

[Mr G 76]

Temperature issue could well be one of the two temp sensors failing.

Before the remap, I would never have called mine gutless, it pulled really well from below 2k rpm. However I'm sure a remapped diesel would feel stronger initially, than a std VRS.

[Jam2487]

Cheers Mr G. Well I'm hoping they sort it soon, they've given me a toyota aygo as a courtesy car! I'll post an update when its fixed. Thanks again.

[SkodaKitteh]

The temperature thing is probably the engine coolant temperature sensor rather than the thermostat, cheaper and easier to fix too.  Do you put 95 RON (standard) unleaded in the tank at fill ups?  I found putting 98 RON (super) unleaded in actually eased the problem, no idea why and people have said to me it shouldn't have any effect but it did !

[Extreme3d]

Hi all. This is my first post having picked up my 2006 vrs from an independent dealer last week. The engine sounds as rough as a tractor. Quiet and smooth when cold but as it warms up it sounds rough and there are some tapping noises from the engine bay. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Fwjp9onpNqs its already back at the dealer for them to sort but was interested on what peoples thoughts are on what the problem is?

 

Hi Jam2487,

This sounds very similar to my car, infact my wife calls my car the "tractor". lol. My cambelt was changed according to the service history at around 68,000, the tapping noise does appear to be coming from the HP Fuel pump end and does appear to be slightly louder when the engine is warm. With that said, I have had no problem with my car over the past year with regards to the noise and I just accept it. Doing a google search for "tfsi engine tappy" brings up quite a few results. Have a read.

 

 

Thanks both for your replies, I had read a bit about these engines making some interesting noises but just thought this one sounded unhealthy. Had it looked at by an independent VAG specialist who also wasn't happy with the noises. From the initial inspection after taking the rocker cover off he told me that there had previously been some head work which may have indicated a problem somebody had tried to solve previously. Perhaps even a failed cambelt.. To be sure, he wanted to strip the head to check. Unsurprisingly the dealer i bought it from would rather carry out any repairs at his place rather than at the VAG due to costs. I just hope its thoroughly checked. Very much appreciate your thoughts, i may guide them in the direction of cam followers. On top of all this when taking the car the 50miles back to the dealer i noticed the car not getting up to temperature sitting at around 70-80 degrees. Is this likely a failing thermostat? Also while I'm at it, the car feels gutless at low revs. is this normal? Ive come from a remapped mondeo ST diesel which had bags of torque but even so, i was quite surprised at the lack of acceleration low in the rev range.. Perhaps i just need to readjust back into the petrol way of driving!

 

Having purchased the car within a month I realised it was not getting upto temp. It DID turn out to be the thermostat. Right pain in the a*** job to do. Took about 4 to 5 hours with a freinds help (could do it again quicker now though, but don't want to). Would recommend getting that looked at at soon as possible. I have heard of quotes between £250 - £500 depending where you go. GSF part £30. Access, Coolant system drained, Alternator off, Various pipes, clips and compoments removed to get access. i needed to buy the correct bits for some of the screws and a lot of the work could only be done by hand due to the lack of space. Its tucked in under the inlet manifold. You get the picture.

 

You mentioned the car feeling gutless, Could be down to the DV that fits between the turbo and inlet manifold. The rubber diaphram splits and you lose boost pressure. Mine was replaced and felt better afterwards.

 

Hope this helps. Good luck! 

[Jam2487]

Thanks for your reply. It led me to look further into the diverter valve which looks like a sensible thing to replace/upgrade regardless. Ill make sure the cam follower in the fuel pump is looked at as well. Looks like everything ive experienced so far could be quite common faults, it just happens to have hit me in the first week of ownership. Hopefully the mechanic at the independent dealer has experience of these engines and their faults. Want a good strong/reliable engine before i remap it!

[AP Automotive]

Cam chain are well known to become slack either due to tensioner becoming weak or chain stretching

Ant

[Timmyboy]

It's a 2006,so cam belt

[iaind1]

It's a 2006,so cam belt

 

Not entirely true - it's belt driven but the 2 cams are linked by a chain on the other side of the engine

Edited 19 August, 2015 by iaind1

[Timmyboy]

I'll get my coat

 

I did not know that - didn't think there were any chains involved in the pre FL VRS models, Googling to follow!

[AP Automotive]

Not entirely true - it's belt driven but the 2 cams are linked by a chain on the other side of the engine

Correct.

Cambelt runs exhaust cam only, then the chain runs off the backside (gearbox end) of the exhaust cam to drive inlet cam.

[Aspman]

Not in a position to listen right now but the TFSI is not a sweet sounding engine.

 

They do sound tappity, and quite frankly a bit agricultural especially when cold.

 

Mind did it from new to 83k when I sold it.

[Jam2487]

Just an update... The dealer ended ip having to replace the whole engine (reconditioned). He reckons there was a lot of wear on the cam lobes and and a lot of noise from timing chain rattle. This coupled with the fact it had some unknown engine work lead them to changing the whole engine. Anyway 6 weeks later i have the car back and all the above mentioned issues are gone. Yes its still a bit tappety, but nothing like before. The power is impressive from fairly low in the rev range . there was clearly something very wrong with it previously. Its a great car. Thanks for all your comments. (i wont mention the fact i now have a p0441 error code in dash!) But overall happy with the car.