mk3 16v rattly idle

[clancy]

My car has developed a very rattly idle, seems to dissappear when the cars moving or revved but will rattle like mad when sat still

Any idea what might cause this as it's rather concerning!

Thanks

[gasketface]

maybe you have found the marbles i lost a while back 

[VW BUSH]

Low oil
Low oil pressure
Worn tappets
Worn valves
Worn chain and guides
Any combination of the above

I would start with the oil level

[boneybradley]

I would check the tensioners (cambelt and alt belt) both can rattle when the bearings go (and going by the number of pulley's & tensioners I sell they do go quite often)

[thai-wronghorse]

As Boney says, my old valver rattled like f**k and sounded bloody awful until I replaced the tensioners and belts.

[VW BUSH]

Gearbox mount can rattle as well