Hi, I'm new here so please bear with me. I have an 11 plate 1.4tsi superb with 67k on the clock. It has gradually developed a vibration / "brrrr" sound at 1300 to 1800rpm in any gear and neautral. I have read about the timing chain tensioners but most people seem to say this is a noise at starting. I haven't noticed any abnormal noises at starting (unless it has always done it and I am used to it). Is it likely the tensioner or could it be something else?

Thanks

Edited 31 July, 20187 yr by fosdan31
Typo

Welcome.

 

is that 67,000 miles or km it has done.

 

???

What is the servicing history like, when where the spark plugs changed or checked at least?

Is it a manual or DSG?

 

Does it have 5w 30 FS Long Life oil used.   Maybe better to use 5w 40 FS & not Long Life and have it on Fixed Servicing, 

& maybe have the Timing Chain checked as some 2012 on 1.4 TSI / TFSI Twinchargers have timing chain issue, and i know this is a different engine from yours.

 

 

Hi Offski,

Thanks for your reply. It's 67k miles, 1.4tsi manual. Full service history, mostly main dealer. Major service with plugs earlier this year. I was told it was on variable service but in the two years I've owned it it has flagged a service at 12k so suspect it is on fixed? So I'm not sure which oil the main dealer will have used on the last 2 services.

The vibration can't be felt as such ( engine still smooth) but can be heard at 1300- 1800 rpm below 40mph, above 40 the road noise is louder than the vibration / "brrrr" sound.

I can do another oil change myself if you think it's worth it?

Can live with the noise if it's considered normal, I'm just worried about the chain tensioner thing.

Edited 31 July, 20187 yr by fosdan31
Typo

1 hour ago, fosdan31 said:

Hi, I'm new here so please bear with me. I have an 11 plate 1.4tsi superb with 67k on the clock. It has gradually developed a vibration / "brrrr" sound at 1300 to 1800rpm in any gear and neautral. I have read about the timing chain tensioners but most people seem to say this is a noise at starting. I haven't noticed any abnormal noises at starting (unless it has always done it and I am used to it). Is it likely the tensioner or could it be something else?

Thanks

 

You need to identify where the noise is coming from ie front of engine, under car etc.. Lift the bonnet and get someone to sit in the car and hold it in the rev range that creates the noise - then listen to try and identify where the noise is coming from.

 

I had this issue on my Octavia and it was an exhaust heat shield where a few fasteners had corroded away!

 

 

If on Fixed Service Intervals they are at 9,400 miles / 372 days, so 12,000 miles for a service suggests the Indicator was on Variable as they are from the factory.

 

The Service Guidelines on Spark Plugs are at 40,000 miles.

 

If a plug was going then a coil can expire early,  so get the plugs checked, checked for fault codes, and be sure servicing is to guidelines / schedules.

Check the Air Filter, maybe change, and the Fuel Filter might need replaced.  Fitted for Life, changed as required.

Thanks for the advice. The plugs earlier this year were at least the second set replaced in it's life. I will check the things that have been suggested if I can get the wife to hold it in that rev range.

Is the non long life oil better for the engine in the long run? I bought a can of the long life stuff when I bought the car but haven't  done a change myself yet. Iam happy to change it regularly myself. I change every 6month / 4k miles on my ageing focus because I heard it prolongs turbo etc.

IME & IMO long life oil and long life servicing or even fixed servicing and it can be short life TSI's, 

If your car is a keeper do not use VW Recommended VW 504/507 5w 30 FS LL.

Use VW 502 FS.   Not to save money, to save your engine.

 

Now they are over to VW508/509 with the cars for WLTP and testing.

Some will have to go with this 0w 20 FS LL,  time will tell if it costs owners of keepers, VW do not care, Fleet / Lease are all they care about, and Co2 g/km / MPG under testing, 

not the Longevity of engines really, as long as they last the Warranty Period they are Larry.

 

CASTROL / Quantum is not really a 'Special Oil'   it is VW's recommended,  French might recommend TOTAL,  Japanese Manufacturers something else.

 

I recommend ASDA Own Brand Bottles to the right spec, or Tesco, or COMMA, or FUCHS, or Quantum if you like, they are all just OIl's produced by Oil Producers.

MOBILE if you like, just another oil in a Family passenger car not doing anything special, nor race track, not extreme weathers or use.

Experts will be along maybe talking detergents , anti foaming and other superior additives and other such stuff. 

1.0, 1.2, 1.4, 1.8, 2.0  TSI / TFSI is what matters, right oil, right spec and engine longevity, timing chain, valves, rings / scrappers, bearings. 

Edited 31 July, 20187 yr by Offski