VR6 - Engine Rattle

[SW VR6]

I have an R-reg VR6 (85k on the clock) which has recently developed a rattle.  I can't quite pinpoint where it's coming from in the engine bay, but it seems to get lounder when I rev the engine.  The rattle seems to fade when the oil temp reaches around 70 deg C.

The car has recently had a full service, with no problems reported.  Any ideas?

[SW VR6]

Forgot to mention, my car is the R-reg VR6 that I posted about on an earlier thread.  Only bought it last week, with full VW history, oil change every 6k miles etc. etc.  It looks and feels like a very well looked after car - just hope the rattle is not due to early chain wear.

As for the independent VW specialist that serviced / checked over the car - I rate them very highly indeed, so I'm sure they wouldn't have overlooked anything serious. It's bugging me now - I'd just like to know what it is!

[Burnsy]

I had a similar problem with mine and it was down to not having enough oil in (5.7 Litres)
So i took it in for a engine service and all's been fine since
Mines similar mileage 91 k but on an L plate and also had an oli service every 4-5k
Just a thought
Also the owner of the speciallist where i take my Vr6 to says hes never know in all his time a timing chain to snap on a Vr6

[Burnsy]

Just noticed same colour, 5 door and same BBS alloys as mine

[SW VR6]

The guys at my local specialist garage say the same thing - never (ever!) known a timing chain snap on a VR, even very high mileage examples.

I guess the problem could be oil-related, but it happened both before and after the recent oil change. Can't believe the garage would have underfilled the car with oil?

It's interesting that the noise almost completely disappears when the oil temp gets up though...

I hate rattles - they drive me crazy!  

[SW VR6]

By the way Burnsy, what's the official VW name for the colour of our cars - is it mystic blue? I've heard a number of different descriptions - windsor blue and dusky/dusty (?) mauve have also been mentioned.

I really like the colour - the purple tone is very noticeable in certain light conditions.

[golfvr6]

If it is chain related,  then probably will be worn upper guide rail and/or tensioner.
Worth changing at that mileage.
Or could just be worn hydraulic tappets.

[SW VR6]

Well, I've run the car around for about a week and the rattle is still there. The annoying thing is that it only happens when the engine is cold, and I do quite lot of short journeys so I hear it all the time.

Is worn upper guide rail and/or tensioner a big/expensive job? And what about hydraulic tappets?  

Also, are any of the above problems likely to harm the car if I don't get it fixed straight away?

Any thoughts/info appreciated.

[golfvr6]

To change guide rail and tensioner, remove the inlet manifold and cam cover, remove ignition coil pack/distributor,remove upper chain tensioner, remove upper chain cover, unbolt one of the cam sprockets, remove the upper chain and tie it up, remove upper guide rail, replace tensioner for new when reassembling.
If re-using old tensioner, it will need bleeding, do this by inserting wire into end of piston till it collapses.

[Burnsy]

Now this guys good