Hollow knocking

[vwscottie]

Does it smoke when you first start it? It could be Piston slap or small end bearing wear.

I havn`t noticed any smoke on start up but i`ll take note tomorrow when i finish work.

[WadGTI]

Thrust bearing?

[vwscottie]

 Golfs dont have a thrust bearing
EDIT
Sorry yes they do
If it was the thrust bearing it would rattle all the time 

[WadGTI]

Golfs dont have a thrust bearing

?? Mines knocks when you give a good old rev...when you have your foot on the clutch on in gear...the noise disappears. I though this was just the thrust bearing needing changed.

[stainesy]

i went to german swedish the other day to get a new thrust bearing when i thought my main oil seal had gone when it hadnt anyway they said the thrust bearing on my car was some plastic thing.

[harlemex]

sounds like a sticky tappet to me. Is it a kind of donk donk donk noise? (thats the best way I can think to describe the sound of a sticky tappet.) Stick your head under the bonnet and see if you can locate the noise. If its tappet you will easily here it coming from the top of the engine. 

[stainesy]

i get that sometimes. easy to fix?

[harlemex]

The tricky part is locating the dodgy one(s). Easiest to get a whole new set. Rocker cover off cambelt off then cam bearing caps. Pull out the old and in with new. Make sure they have been immersed in engine oil for a half hour first. Then once in leave the car an hour to let them settle before starting.