Death Rattle...

[jimGTI-T]

Hey all,

I know that the 'diesel-y' sound of the GTi's engine has been discussed a lot here before, but...

Has anyone had experience of it getting worse suddenly?
 

I have driven 1058 miles in the last 5 days and the engine is noticably more 'tappety' at idle.     (even loud enough for my usually car-ignorent missus to notice.)

Its just had a very expensive full 30k service at the dealers last week too -

WHAT HAVE THEY DONE?!?! 

Needless to say, its going back asap.

[Hurdy]

If it wasn't there before the service - take it back pronto. The longer you leave it  the less likely the dealer will do anything for you.

[jimGTI-T]

Heading there in about 40 mins when I can leave work. 

Im convinced that its noisier now than it was before the service but dont understand what they could have done?   
 
Its only had the filters, oil, diagnostic and brake fluid done.

[Cass]

Unlikely that they have done anything to the car during the standard service to make this worse. The GTI engine isn't the quietist engine to be fair. Changing the engine oil wouldn't effect it and AFAIK, there are no adjustments to be made during the service. As you have used the car for a good few miles you may well be noticing this more after a run when the engine oil is warm and thinner. Still, take it back asap and get it checked out - you never know. If they say everything's OK, while youm are at the dealers, ask to hear another GTI running to put your mind at rest.

Cass

[jimGTI-T]

Thanks Cass,

Ive always known about and noticed the tappety noise at idle, just this time it seems more pronounced.  Ill get it checked as you suggest and that should put my mind at rest.

Just unusual as I have not done anything particularly different.  Apart from:

- The service.
- 100 RON petrol in Verona 
- Using a slightly heavier right foot than usual during the blat across Europe. 

As you rightly say, its probably just me being fussy but I do 92 miles in her every day and have only recently noticed the difference!

Thanks for the reassurance.

Jim

[AlanD]

If they say everything's OK, while youm are at the dealers, ask to hear another GTI running to put your mind at rest.

Very solid advice, and make sure they are there as well so you can point out the clear diffrence in noise.

The only downside to this is that if they sound the same your going to look like a right tw@t lol

[jimGTI-T]

Ha ha!

You're probably right, im likely to look an idiot but id rather get it checked out - im incredibly protective about my GTi! 

I even refused to park in one particular space on the ferry because it was alongside the passenger walkway.  The thought of all those metal zips and buttons on coats squeezing past made me cringe! 

[AlanD]

lol aint we all

Its worth looking like a small idiot to make sure your engine is healthy.

[RunRabbit]

Them using the wrong oil grade could make the noise increase, thinner oil could cause it. Could also be down to the colder weather we've just had