I've had my Octy vRS TDI since May (build date 5th Feb), and have been getting a serious 'tractor' engine noise and stuttering.

The loud engine noise occurs on part throttle acceleration, i.e. when depressing the accelerator lightly or hovering on the throttle at around 1500 rpm, especially in 2nd/3rd gear. It could be described as a tractor/transit van - its LOUD!! And embarrassing

There is stuttering and harsh power delivery at the same time as the noise.

Becomes very juddery at idle. Feels like the car is going to stall when sat in a queue.

It is intermittent. On average once a week since we got the car, but the last couple of weeks seems to be getting worse.

No pattern - happens totally randomly, usually when the engine is warm and has even happened straight after a long motorway run.

Will sometimes stop for a while if I restart the engine. Once had to restart 4 times and the car was virtually undriveable because of the erratic throttle response.

Because no fault codes are logged and the car hasn't made the noise while at the garage, my dealer has so far not been helpful. I am taking it in again this week, but wish I had a clearer idea of what it could be. I'm worried they're going to try and tell me it's a 'feature'! :(

The only mention of it I have found on Briskoda is here: http://www.briskoda.net/forums/new-o...roblems/83976/ and mainly discusses stuttering rather than the noise.

If you look on the Audi forum http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/showthread.php?t=37777 you can see how common this problem seems to be in the PD170 engine.

I would really like to know if anyone else with the vRS TDI is suffering this problem, and also if anybody has any opinions or ideas at all on what could be causing it they would be much appreciated.

I wonder if it's linked to the DPF regeneration??

I personally think these engine units are loud, certainly more unrefined than the 1.9PD (that's my opinion)

However, if you are unhappy keep on going back to the dealers.. Unfortuantely i can't help with trying to diagnose your issues as i no longer own a diesel, but i hope you manage to sort soon...

I was thinking it might be the DPF as well. Just seems to be doing it a lot too often - four times in a week :confused: And it gets a long motorway run regularly. Maybe a faulty sensor?

The DPF regeneration chucks a load more fuel in to raise the temperature and burn the deposits off. Over fueling can cause it to run a bit lumpy.