I've recently bought a 2009 Fabia with the 1.4 diesel (engine code BNV).

 

Occasionally, I get a horrible noise from, I imagine, the gearbox or clutch when idling. It is characterised by:

 

Only happens occasionally

When it does happen, it disappears when the clutch is released but doesn't come back when clutch is engaged again, or

disappears when revs reach 1,200, and doesn't come back when they drop again

Doesn't seem to happen when driving

 

I've been through the forums and the conclusion seems to be the problem derives from a worn input shaft bearing. I've seen in my Fabia's service history that this was mentioned during a service report 4 years ago at 82k miles. Current mileage is 109k, so its been like this for at least 27k miles.

 

On a VW forum I found a post of a VW Technical Report discussing 'Rollover noise': "Neutral gear rollover noise describes the condition whereby a rattling noise from the constant mesh gearing in the transmission is heard while the engine idles with the clutch engaged (pedal released)". It goes on to say the rollover noise is inherent to the design and is not detrimental.

 

Considering all this together, and assuming my car doesn't have a dual mass flywheel, I'm inclined to live with it as is, or possibly set a faster idle, but would be grateful to be advised by those with more experience whether this is sensible or not.

 

Thank you

 

If I could work out how to edit my post I would remove the bit about setting a faster idle. I'm from the era when you could do things like that with just a screwdriver, but realise now that is no longer possible.

I had clutch noise when idling, went away on pressing clutch, sometimes came back on release in neutral, sometimes didn't. OK when driving but clutch started to slip going up hills in higher gear and eventually slipped more often. On renewal of the clutch, both the slipping of the clutch and the rattle went away so the rattle was rectified when the new clutch kit was installed. Be sure to get the whole kit and not just clutch plates! Of course, your issue may be totally unrelated and if it is clutch parts, you could go on for ages or you could just have it fail. I would think the former to be most likely, with slow increase in wear.

I think it MAY be possible to increase the revs but it will almost certainly have to be done by computer, via the OBD port.

 

BTW, as you mention only having had the car recently, do be sure to stick to the oil change schedule like a limpet and use the proper grade of oil. Brand will be irrelevant but it needs the correct grade for the VW specs.

Edited 9 September, 20214 yr by mrgf

Thanks, mrgf.. As it happens, the car is on its second clutch already - replaced after 5 years use, which seems very short run. Perhaps the clutch was 'ridden' a lot previously. I think I'll continue with the car as it is, and just monitor the situation. I'm rarely in traffic, so noise when idling isn't a major problem.

 

And thanks for the tip about oil changes. Do people stick to the service interval in the Skoda service book of 15,000 km (9,000 miles) or use shorter intervals?

 

Any idea on the age aspect of changing the cambelt? Doesn't seem to menton it in the service book. I see from the service history of my new car that although the cambelt wouldn't need changing on mileage for some time yet (another 70,000 miles), it was done 4 years ago. I wonder what the time limit is on them.

 

Thanks again for your help

I stick to the oil changes and correct oil. Changing more frequently is just wasted money but don't go over! I am a driving instructor and think the clutches on these do suffer somewhat. They tend to burn fairly easily if ridden a little.