deathchurch Posted May 9, 2007 Report Share Posted May 9, 2007 I took my car in today (orignally for new wing mirror plastic cover and 3rd gear crunch) and got the mechanic out to listen to the engine rattle when holding the revs at 1600 - 1800 when in neutral. He didn't seem pleased to hear the rattle and went back in to talk to his manager and then came back out and said they were gonna do some engine stripping and then talk to lumleys (extended warranty company) about how to proceed. He said it sounds like its coming from the cam chain area, but would need to get the stethoscope out to pin point the rattle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oatz Posted May 9, 2007 Report Share Posted May 9, 2007 Oh dear this is exactly what happened to mine.... mine would only make the noise when the engine was up to operating temperature with the rattle disappearing when the clutch was depressed (is this the case with yours?).... inevitably I decided to get shot of it in the end. Hope it has a happy ending for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deathchurch Posted May 9, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 9, 2007 [ QUOTE ] Oh dear this is exactly what happened to mine.... mine would only make the noise when the engine was up to operating temperature with the rattle disappearing when the clutch was depressed (is this the case with yours?).... inevitably I decided to get shot of it in the end. Hope it has a happy ending for you [/ QUOTE ] That is exactly the same, only appears when up to running temp and only when in neutral. Although there is a slight rattle when starting from cold in the morning, but no where near as loud. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmyp Posted May 9, 2007 Report Share Posted May 9, 2007 Oatz as you no mate that was what i had, and resulted in, er, two engine blocks all the best deathchurch and don't take..its the oil pump, flywheel is loose, or its a charateristic of the .:R for excuses, as its not at all. If you want to talk mate ref this or want any advice and if i can give it, drop me a PM. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Decked Posted May 9, 2007 Report Share Posted May 9, 2007 What petrol are you running? 95/97/99? I have my own theory on this rattle lark, obviously I haven't heard it but there is a chance it could be the timing and it's pinking at that RPM. Just a thought.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deathchurch Posted May 9, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 9, 2007 [ QUOTE ] What petrol are you running? 95/97/99? I have my own theory on this rattle lark, obviously I haven't heard it but there is a chance it could be the timing and it's pinking at that RPM. Just a thought.... [/ QUOTE ] I have always used Optimax/V-Power which is 98 and now 99 RON. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deathchurch Posted May 9, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 9, 2007 [ QUOTE ] Oatz as you no mate that was what i had, and resulted in, er, two engine blocks all the best deathchurch and don't take..its the oil pump, flywheel is loose, or its a charateristic of the .:R for excuses, as its not at all. If you want to talk mate ref this or want any advice and if i can give it, drop me a PM. [/ QUOTE ] Thanks for that, will wait for Friday and see what they have to say about it. The mechanic that came out did seem to be concerned, and said that it was not right, rather than just trying to say its how the VR6 engine sounds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mook Posted May 9, 2007 Report Share Posted May 9, 2007 [ QUOTE ] there is a chance it could be the timing and it's pinking at that RPM. Just a thought.... [/ QUOTE ] The anti-knock sensors should prevent that from happening, though, unless they're fecked as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oatz Posted May 9, 2007 Report Share Posted May 9, 2007 I also always ran my .:R on Opti/V power Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oatz Posted May 9, 2007 Report Share Posted May 9, 2007 Also maybe worth asking them whether they will be conducting a "crude" end float test. This can be performed without having to strip anything and allows them to see whether the amount of end float is within tolerance. Can't remember off the top of my head what the precise tolerance allowed are (as I binned my file collected over 12 months after getting shot of mine) nevertheless I'm sure Jimmy P would still possibly remember..?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogbucket Posted May 9, 2007 Report Share Posted May 9, 2007 Sadly I believe mine also has had the death rattle for the last 15k miles. Did some listening last night and it is as others have described. I heard it when Jimmy had his problems a year ago and she was on 45k, but dismissed it. But with no warranty I am not taking any chances and I cannot be doing with the stress of getting it sorted. I am starting to make arrangements to px her for something else. :insert crying smiley: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ritey Posted May 9, 2007 Report Share Posted May 9, 2007 With all these death rattles is there not a large enough case for hassling VW about a defective part and a recall? Enough polo people did and got what was known as the 'pedal box' issue sorted eventually Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mook Posted May 9, 2007 Report Share Posted May 9, 2007 If they're under warranty, they'll replace the engine, but only after spending as little as possible to resolve the problem first, by trying to replace other parts. No, it's not good, but that's the way of VW at the minute. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richey33 Posted May 9, 2007 Report Share Posted May 9, 2007 Good luck deathchurch with this. Good debate too lads. For someone like me who is actively looking for an MK 4 R32, this is more than disconcernting. The rattle seems to be more common than I previously thought. . . . much thinking to be done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogbucket Posted May 9, 2007 Report Share Posted May 9, 2007 bear in mind my rattle has not been confirmed as terminal. But the thought that it might be has just forced my hand with regards to replacing the R. she was a joy to drive home tonight of course.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deathchurch Posted May 10, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2007 [ QUOTE ] Sadly I believe mine also has had the death rattle for the last 15k miles. I am starting to make arrangements to px her for something else. [/ QUOTE ] Could it be that the rattles are not terminal then, seeing as you have had yours for 15K miles, but I suppose it would always be in the back of your mind that one day it could all go wrong, and without any kind of warranty you would be left with a big repair bill. If I don't get anything sorted with VW about this, I too am thinking about replacing the .:R with something else, but with what??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oatz Posted May 10, 2007 Report Share Posted May 10, 2007 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] Sadly I believe mine also has had the death rattle for the last 15k miles. I am starting to make arrangements to px her for something else. [/ QUOTE ] Could it be that the rattles are not terminal then, seeing as you have had yours for 15K miles, but I suppose it would always be in the back of your mind that one day it could all go wrong, and without any kind of warranty you would be left with a big repair bill. If I don't get anything sorted with VW about this, I too am thinking about replacing the .:R with something else, but with what??? [/ QUOTE ] I went through the same emotional roller coaster for almost a year and in the end decided it was completely ruining the whole ownership experience plus when the engine did give up the ghost it would take me over 3 years to get the new one worn in! (5k p/a) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deathchurch Posted May 10, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2007 [ QUOTE ] plus when the engine did give up the ghost it would take me over 3 years to get the new one worn in! (5k p/a) [/ QUOTE ] The replacement engine isn't new it's refurbished, does that need the same amount of running in as a brand new engine? I know what your saying about the ownership experience, I am beginning to wonder if the .:R32 is worth it, I mean the car is only just over 4 years old and its has numerous bits changed/replaced/fixed (most under warranty or extended warranty - 3rd Gear Syncro's, Front Wheel Bearings, Door Hinges, Engine Fans, MAF Sensor, Coilpacks, ECU Update and now this death rattle), my mate has a CTR and he only goes to the garage for services and thats it, its the same age as mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deathchurch Posted May 10, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2007 Well VW have rung me back, and they say they have put the rattle down to something in the cam chain area (he said that yesterday after 1 min of listening to it), but to carry on they need to strip it all down, they have contacted my warranty company and they say they will only make a decision about paying for it once it is stripped down and the cause found, which could leave me with a massive bill if they decide that it isn't covered under the extended warranty, great. I have told them to get in contact with VW UK and ask them about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmyp Posted May 10, 2007 Report Share Posted May 10, 2007 [ QUOTE ] The replacement engine isn't new it's refurbished [/ QUOTE ] Not quite true there, all the internals are new but the outer casing of the block is refurbished. Its all down to the EU law of recycling, this is why its called a reconditioned engine even tho its new parts inside the block This of course was what i have been told by VWUK so it could be all wrong Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RossG Posted May 10, 2007 Report Share Posted May 10, 2007 I'm so sorry to hear about yet another R32 with this problem. I had a new engine fitted this time last year for the same thing - covered by VW as the car was 2 days within its warranty when I reported it. Being honest, your list of repairs is about a long as mine was. I also had a few other major biggies brewing according to my local specialist. Eventually, it got that I simply did not trust the car - I never gave it any stick, never drove it that hard, and avoided long journies as I didn't know what would break next. With a broken heart, I got rid of it. Oatz sums it up when he talks of an emotional roller coaster - IMO it just wasn't worth it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogbucket Posted May 10, 2007 Report Share Posted May 10, 2007 So has this rattle been proved to actually cause the engine to fail in the long run. I realise Jimmys did, but was that because it had been messed about with so much by them investigating it. I can honestly say mine has never missed a beat and the noise has never gotten any worse. Hence why I originally dismissed it. But yes MK4 stress syndrome has finally done me in as well. (See my thread in the GTI forum). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simple_man Posted May 11, 2007 Report Share Posted May 11, 2007 Talking about cars and trust, it is a bit of Russian roulette IMHO. My last few cars that did worth a bit of money and worth mentioning where BMW 325 (1992) which had no problems till it turned 10YO, next was AUDI 2002 A4 (motor sized – oil sludge) and it was stock and oil was changed more often that manual suggests, now R32 MKV with few minor glitches. Since AUDI I do not trust any cars, I always listen careful to it and over-service badly (3 oil changes for my .:R32 in last 15,000km) So, it is not just VW having problems, it can be any car, any make or model or year. Just a matter of luck me thinks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deathchurch Posted May 11, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2007 VW aren't interested, Lumleys aren't interested, so basically I am not interested, time to look for something else, and get rid of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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