Engine Rattle on start up

[RichardOF]

Hi all

 

About a month ago I bought a 2010 Octavia 1.4tsi estate. It has a full service history (all main dealer apart from one) and has done about 101k miles.

 

I am now noticing a rattle from the engine on start up that only lasts about 5-10 seconds or so and them calms down. The car seems to run fine after this but I obviously worried that this might be pointing to something significant that needs sorting out.

 

Can anyone please shine any light on this or point me to a thread that may already have covered this. I've a quick hunt on the net and it seems it could be fuel pressure or a camshaft retensioner but a bit more advice would be great. 

 

Many thanks

 

Richard

[mikey vrs]

Im not 100% sure if the 1.4 tsi engine has a timing chain but there is a known issue with the timing chain tensioner failing on the 2.0 tsi engine & some 1.8 tsi engines,if it fails it usually does some expensive engine damage so id get it checked out asap,where did you buy the car from? 

[RichardOF]

Hi Mikey, thanks for the reply. I bought it from a small dealer in Essex which unfortunately is about 2 hours away from me so no so easy to go back to them. The car did have a 3 month nationwide warranty with it but I have a suspicion that it may not cover that.

 

Cheers, Richard

[TheClient]

The older ea111 series 1.4 TSI like used in the twin charger golf were chains and very similar timing chain componentary and suffered the same issues as newer 1.8 and 2.0TSI engines.

 

I used to have one in a MK5 Golf and had to get the timing chain and tensioner replaced, luckily without engine damaged.

 

I have to admit the 1.4 TSI have always seemed noisey at start up (I still notice it if I walk past one now when statring!) which I put down to the operation of the  hydraulic tappets before pressurisation. 

 

Edit: I'm 90% sure the current 1.4 TSI is ea211 series and back to a belt drive. However, not sure if your car has that engine or not. The beginning letters of the engine code of the V5C would help.

 

For piece of mind, suggest you get it checked over if you've noticed the noise especially if it has changed. Get it looked at locally if you have to first.

 

Edits: tidied up post and changed my mind that a 2010 would have the new belt drive engine. I believe 2010 mk2 FL will be the older design chain drive. The ea211 being released in the mk3 Octavia. I don't want to be alarmist but I would recommend to get this noise checked ASAP.

Edited 13 December, 2016 by TheClient

[wiilydog]

I would get it checked out as it could be a stretched timing chain or failing tensioner causing the rattle and can cause expensive engine damage if it fails

[xman]

2010 1.4 tsi is a camchain engine. This engine/year has known issues with premature camchain stretch and tensioner problems due to manufacturing faults. The symptoms are exactly as described. 5 to 10 seconds on start up indicates an advanced and serious problem. Dont ignore it as the chain will skip/detach on start up one day and write your engine off.

Many of these engines had the chains and tensioners replaced free of charge even many out of warranty. Check with a skoda dealer on your position, there are several skoda issued tpi documents that cover this issue.

Edited 14 December, 2016 by xman

[maverick54]

Got the same engine in my 2011. Does have the timing chain but the majority of posts I read over the internet appeared to suggest this engine didn't suffer as badly from the same problems as the 1.8 and 2.0ltr models. Do you know your engine code?

 

Timing chains and tensioners can of cause wear on any car that has one over time, and obviously how the car was driven before you owned it could affect how soon wear could occur.

 

Might be an idea to buy an engine stethoscope which will at least allow you to listen if the sound is actually coming from the timing chain cover area for certain.

Edited 14 December, 2016 by maverick54

[TheClient]

Mmm. Yes 5-10 seconds noticeable rattle is a long time even with my previous experience of the 1.4 Tsi generally being a bit noisey at startup.  I would be concerned about timing chain. 

[RichardOF]

Thanks for all the advice. Booked into my local Skoda dealer to be checked tomorrow so will give an update when they have looked at it.

[Jamesey]

Mines had the new updated tentioner fitted and new timing cover last week .also a oil and filter change but now it rattles on cold start .if I turn it straight off and on again it doesn't do this .

It never made this noise before with the new tensioner. Just fed up now.

Vw specialist says they all make that noise .but it's bugging me it didn't do it before

[xman]

Your profile says Fabia Monte carlo, so I presume its the 1.2tsi 205ps CBZB engine. (Wrong forum btw)

 

Monte carlo made after 2012, shouldn't normally require a new tensioner, so why did you do it of you didn't previously have rattles?

 

It shouldn't rattle on start, something is wrong. Its not "normal"

 

The cold rattle/ quiet restart happens when tensioner is releasing, and/or worn components, (chain/sprockets/hydraulic tensioner).

 

First to check if the Oil filter could be draining down when stood.

 

Check the correct oil filter has been used and is fitted correctly. Best to spin it off and check for only one rubber sealing ring and not the old one left in by mistake so two are in there. (The oil in the housing can hide the presence of the old seal detached from the old filter). Finally refit, not under or over tightened. 

 

Or you have a chain problem

 

Changing the hydraulic tensioner on its own is not a fix. 

 

You need the latest full kit, chain, 2 guides, 2 sprockets and tensioner. New timing cover is NOT required with latest kit iirc.

 

Check the correct chain kit is used, only use genuine Skoda, latest revision kit. Aftermarket kits will likely be the original faulty chain design. Latest revision is important.

 

Check both sprockets are actually changed, along with new guides(2) and new hydraulic tensioner. 

 

Don't let them fob you off, it will fail in time, a loose rattling chain will eventually jump a worn sprocket and trash the engine.

 

Edited 7 September, 2018 by xman

[Jamesey]

Checked oil filter and the valve o rings underneath this .all ok .

I'm totally fed up now already spent £400 getting the revised tentioner fitted .it had a new lower cover aswell .so if I have the chain and guides done now it will need another cover plus cost of the chain and labour  .

I'm seriously thinking about just getting shut of it now . As I'm not prepared to spend any more on it .

Just seems strange how it only does it on cold start for 2 seconds or so ....fine all day after that.

 

[Skodaoctoviaestate2008]

Hi, I’ve got a skoda superb, it makes a noise when I start it in the morning only for the first time. It is rattaling for a few seconds then gets back to normal I uploaded a video if it would be ok for anyone to check. I recently replaced my cam belt. Because it only rattle in the morning for a few second for the first time when I start so when I take the car to the garage they start it and says that it’s normal.  Thanks a lot 
https://youtu.be/ywUwSKEeI2c