New car, nice engine knock

[Burgwolfs87]

Firstly, a quick introduction. I picked up my first MK5 GTI last week, seemingly well cared albeit a bit leggy (177k). I have a string of VWs over the years, including a MK7 R, MK2 8V, Scirrocco. I sometimes stray, but always end up coming back!

Anyway, really fancied a MK5 GTI and one popped up locally. Completely standard, manual  2006 5 Door BWA. Despite its miles, it looks fresh, no rust and a fully stamped history. It’s had 2 cambelt changes, the last around 10k ago.

On bringing it home, I have noticed hollow knocking from the engine which can be heard in the cabin. Has the following characteristics:

- doesn’t occur from cold, only after the auto choke ends and idle settles down. Continues when warm.
- appears to be coming from the belt rather than chain end. I’ve listened in to the chain cover with a screwdriver and doesn’t seem to be coming from there.
-no eml or warning lights, drives fine.

I have scoured YouTube and found a video with the same sound. The guy taking it also appears to think it’s from the belt end judging by the camera position. As usual, there is no follow up with diagnosis.

I have bought a new cam follower to fit at the weekend, but don’t think it’s related.

Anyone else experienced a similar noise?

Thanks!

[titchy]

Can u tell if its at engine or half engine speed?

[Burgwolfs87]

Thanks for responding. The noise is there at idle and upto around 1.5-6k then stops.

I see the link to the YT video didn’t work, not sure how to fix that.

Is just strange that it isn’t there from cold.

[Juliand]

Sounds like the timing chain / components are worn to me... Lots of posts about that noise on here if you do a search. There are 3 parts in all - the chain; an adjuster; and a tensioner..... I gather that some people only change two of the parts (sorry can't remember exactly), but if it were me, I'd do all three, but I think it's quite an expensive job, if done by a garage. So, you get a cam belt and a cam chain.

Another possibility is that it's the injectors....?

[Lucky ducky]

Sounds like the same problem i had when I bought mine.. Put on the kettle and have a read through this mate
https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=106158.0

[Burgwolfs87]

I really hope it is the chain, thanks for the replies. I’ve since found this thread and the Chap here describes the same thing so fingers crossed.

https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=56917.0

[pudding]

If you suspect the cambelt end, take the serpentine belt off and run it for a few minutes to see if the noise stops.  That test won't out-rule any noises from the chain driven oil pump / balancer shaft assembly though.

A worn chain causes a diesel like chuntering in the cabin when hot.  At 177K it's certainly on the suspect shortlist.

It could also be a bad DMF.  Maybe get a long screwdriver and stick it on the gearbox as a stethoscope.

Worn out turbos can make a knocking noise at idle as well, which just happens to be over near the cambelt.

Engine noises travel, so it's time to get stethoscoping!

[Burgwolfs87]

Well, this has turned into massive headache. I removed the cam follower to inspect at the weekend and it’s been chewed straight through. Massive hole in the top of it, the hpfp plunger has also ground down.

I’m going to gamble on fixing it. Apart from the knocking noise, it ran fine. I put a new follower in and I certainly felt punchier.

An afternoon spent on eBay searching part numbers, so far I have managed to source the following:

2nd hand hpfp (different fitting to mine which has the banjo) going to swap out the spring and striker. £30
2nd hand revision B intake cam. £50. Mine was revision A.
Chain and tensioner £50
Cam cover and tensioner housing gaskets £20
Mann oil filter £4.99
5w30 507.00 £18.49
BR7EIX plugs £28
S3 front console bushes £55.91
Powerflex yellow dog bone insert £25

Scrapping any idea of taking it to stage 1. Do however plan on removing the precat.

[FJB]

When you do the job take the sump off to clean it. I found pieces of broken cam follower in the sump, oil strainer and in the timing chain cover.