Hi everyone

My 2015 2.0tdi Octavia has developed a noise over the last month.

It is a tappety noise which is coming from the belt area of the engine.

After endless googling I’m thinking it could be one of the pulleys but I’m not sure as this is a bit above my pay grade!

The noise can be heard on tick over and at low revs while driving, if I rev up to about 2500 the noise goes away.

I’m trying to get it booked into a garage for a check over but can’t get it looked at for a couple of weeks.

Does this sound like it needs immediate attention? Has anyone experienced this with theirs?

Thank you for reading.

I think I had a similar issue with our old 2009 Octavia, it was the clutch mechanism on the AC pump, I tightened a screw (or screws?) to sort it........worth checking assuming you have AC ?

When you say belt area, do you mean the auxiliary belt or timing belt ?

What mileage is on your car?

17 minutes ago, JohnMack said:

I think I had a similar issue with our old 2009 Octavia, it was the clutch mechanism on the AC pump, I tightened a screw (or screws?) to sort it........worth checking assuming you have AC ?

When you say belt area, do you mean the auxiliary belt or timing belt ?

What mileage is on your car?

The noise is coming from the drivers side of the engine, yes the car has AC the mileage is 116000

1 hour ago, Brizzol said:

.... I’m not sure as this is a bit above my pay grade!

I'm thinking you're maybe not a "hands on" kind of guy ? I'm not knocking you by any means but if it's a concerning noise then maybe running it by your garage (any garage) would be the thing to do.

If you are able to release the tension on the auxiliary belt enough to slip it off, then run the engine to see if the noise is still there, if it were to stop then problem lies with the external belt and pulleys , not timing belt/water pump etc.

When was the timing belt and associated pulleys replaced?

Have you checked the engine oil level by the way?

1 hour ago, JohnMack said:

I think I had a similar issue with our old 2009 Octavia, it was the clutch mechanism on the AC pump,

A 2015 Octavia won't have a clutch mechanism on the AC pump, it's a variable displacement pump.

Try a length of garden hose. Put one end to your ear and move the other around the area where the noise is. You should be able to pinpoint where its coming from or at least narrow it down a fair bit. Check theres no damage or wear on alternator belt or alternator bearings. Had one fail and alternator fan was hitting the casing slightly making a tappet noise.

It may be the tensioner or timing belt/water pump. When was it last changed.

Alasdair

^^^^ As above. now at 116,000 miles so when were things replaced?

On mine I do the timing belt at 50-60k or every 5 years plus water pump. It may be getting to the mileage/age it should be done but difficult to tell if theres no history of when it was done last. Might be worth inspecting or getting someone to check belt to see if its in good condition.

Have seen a few that are just holding on and no more.

Alasdair

John Mack, I’m kind of hands on to a point, as in I can do basic stuff like servicing, brakes etc but never done anything to do with belts or pulleys etc.

The timing belt was done at 75000 according to my service history which was before I had the car.

Yes oil level was the first thing I checked and it is fine.

Alasdair, I will try the hose thing later see if that can help to narrow it down.

I definitely need to have a garage look at it but there are only a few near me that I deem trustworthy and they are either closed for Xmas or booked up.

I may have to try my luck and start ringing around other garages.

Thanks for all your advice.

timing at 75k should still be ok unless its more than 5 years as long as they fitted a decent quality kit. Any decent garage would be able to look at it/check it for you and may be able to help. My old one that I used to use regularly before they retired didnt mind if you popped in to let them hear any problems especially if you took biscuits/cakes

Alasdair

Just thought I would report back with an update.

I had it looked at by a garage this weekend, it is the air conditioning pump/condenser which is rattling!

The guy showed me it where it is also leaking and took the belt off and ran the engine to show the noise stopped.

They are ringing me today with a price, not gonna be cheap but I’m slightly relieved as I was thinking the absolute worst!

Thanks again for all the help.