1.6FSI engine startup weird noise?

[tcyjohnny]

Hi I am wondering if anyone knows anything about this, I know my 1.6FSI could suffer from a non-functioning camchain tensioner issue but I think this will mean the chain rattles all the time right?

Now lately I have found that every now and then when startup, there's a noise that happens for 3 seconds or so when startup then it goes after these 3 seconds or so? (But doesn't sound like the chain rattling? not really sure as I am in the car most of the time!) I will try to get some video recorded on this next time....

Is anyone able to shed any light on this?

added:

Found a clip someone else's made, it sounds like this.... is this the dreaded camchain tensioner????

[Nasir]

Hi, this is well covered over on uk-mkivs.net. My car does it occasionally (1.4 FSI), it is documented in the manual that it is normal.

[tcyjohnny]

oh thank you, I'll take a look at the manual.

[dub singh]

Anyone know what causes this tho? And more importantly how it can be fixed?

I've got the exact same problem!!

Is there a link for the uk-mkivs.net for this thread?

Cheers

[alexperkins]

If its documented in the manual as being normal, then it isnt a problem

[dub singh]

Had a look in the manual and cant see it anywhere for the 1.6FSI

Rang up VW West London and they want £110 for a diagnostic charge!!

[tcyjohnny]

Well, I have not had this for a long long time now, since then the weather got warmer and I had an oil service.

The guy at VW said as is due to the hydraulics lifts (relating to the cam chain?) needing that 2 sec or so to be filled up with oil as apparently it's something to do with how the oil filter is positioned (upside down apparently).

[wilmott1980]

This is a problem i had on my 2.0 gt mk5 golf, which is now sorted.
It is caused by the tensioner on the cam chain.
Basically the tensioner is oil fed, So as the engine is started oil pressure is fed to the tensioner so it adjusts the chain tension.
simple enough you might think, But inside the tensioner is a small assister spring. This is designed to take up the slack in the chain and stop the rattle on start up.
So what i am saying is the tensioner becomes weak and allows slack in the chain, which causes this noise on start up.

I decided to rectify this as it sounds horrible and done some research (Like you all have) and found the usual.

I then spoke to my local vw master tech who suggested I put a 5w40 grade oil in the car (standard time and distance spec oil) instead of long life as longlife is very thin. I tried this and it helped a bit but no cure. 

I then decided to go down the replacement route. A long story short my mechanic and me took the chain cover off to check it out and found the timing was half a tooth out on one of the cams. so we ended up changing the chain, tensioner, and cam adjuster (not cheap).
Once we fitted these parts and put it back to togather i took for a run and all i can say is what a difference. The noise on start up had gone, in fact the engine was a lot quiter all round. It is like driving a new car and even felt quicker on acceleration!!

To be honest i didnt think these parts were that bad really and if i was doing a head gasket or something i wouldnt of looked twice at them but i thought i would give it a go and it paid off for once.


Hope this helps some people and sorry for the bad spelling.
 

[Teutonic_Tamer]

This is a problem i had on my 2.0 gt mk5 golf, which is now sorted.
It is caused by the tensioner on the cam chain.
Basically the tensioner is oil fed, So as the engine is started oil pressure is fed to the tensioner so it adjusts the chain tension.
simple enough you might think, But inside the tensioner is a small assister spring. This is designed to take up the slack in the chain and stop the rattle on start up.
So what i am saying is the tensioner becomes weak and allows slack in the chain, which causes this noise on start up.

I decided to rectify this as it sounds horrible and done some research (Like you all have) and found the usual.

I then spoke to my local vw master tech who suggested I put a 5w40 grade oil in the car (standard time and distance spec oil) instead of long life as longlife is very thin. I tried this and it helped a bit but no cure. 

Yet another VW 'master tech' who actually understands nothing about oil!

If you have a chain tensioner issue - which only happens on startup - yet the stealer recommends putting THICKER oil (and non approved to) it . . . that will make the problem worse! 

Anyone who has cam chain rattle on startup simply needs to change their engine oil more frequently - but stick to the correct spec LL3 oil.