MK6 GTI - Rattle upon acceleration - Resolved via TPI: 2021062/7

[kennyc]

Interesting that the 'rattle' does not happen when not in gear ie rev in neutral 2-3k does not rattle - just a sweet engine sound.

Possibly caused by something in the drive train resonating or vibrating ?

So the rattle is only when you accelerate? If your in just say cc and not accelerating all the time you wont hear the rattle?

[paulcito]

So the rattle is only when you accelerate? If your in just say cc and not accelerating all the time you wont hear the rattle?

Yes.
No 'rattle' at all reving 2-3k - only when in gear - 100%.
It seems that it can't b the turbo waste gate given that there is no 'rattle' reving in neutral ?

Seems that it may be due to some plate/cover under the car that resonates at -3k ? Unfortunately I can't crawl to see.

It would be fantastic if the car could be driven in gear 2-3k on a ramp of some sort (like a dyno) over a pit. I would then be simple to see where the noise i comin from.
My feeling is that it's not coming from the engine ... (purely my thoughts/invesigation)

[kennyc]

Yes.
No 'rattle' at all reving 2-3k - only when in gear - 100%.
It seems that it can't b the turbo waste gate given that there is no 'rattle' reving in neutral ?

Seems that it may be due to some plate/cover under the car that resonates at -3k ? Unfortunately I can't crawl to see.

It would be fantastic if the car could be driven in gear 2-3k on a ramp of some sort (like a dyno) over a pit. I would then be simple to see where the noise i comin from.
My feeling is that it's not coming from the engine ... (purely my thoughts/invesigation)

Well thats alright then, i can live with that.

[AdamD]

It seems that it can't b the turbo waste gate given that there is no 'rattle' reving in neutral ?

The engine won't be under load in neutral, so you can expect the vibrations throughout the engine bay to be quite different. If it is wastegate flutter, it may be most noticeable under heavy throttle at certain engine speeds when the engine is loaded? (Turbo experts please correct me if required - this is just conjecture on my part.)

Getting a car that exhibits the rattle onto a dyno and having someone look closely with the bonnet up would be helpful in tracking the noise down - if there is still any question as to what the real cause is, that is. Sounds like VW are pretty certain.

[GTICam]

Just read through this, including page 4. I noticed the buzz/rattle under acceleration since day one. Now have 3000km on my car and it is still making the noise, just as everyone says - under moderate acceleration from 2400rpm up to about 2800rpm. I was sure it was a heat shield or a baffle in the rear muffler...
Guess that means I've got a "normal" GTI?
Cam.

[Mk6 GTI]

Just read through this, including page 4. I noticed the buzz/rattle under acceleration since day one. Now have 3000km on my car and it is still making the noise, just as everyone says - under moderate acceleration from 2400rpm up to about 2800rpm. I was sure it was a heat shield or a baffle in the rear muffler...
Guess that means I've got a "normal" GTI?
Cam.

hehe seems that way!

We all have it!

[windmagnet]

We all have it!

Not me. A few others also appear to have escaped. I have an early delivery Mk6 with 18s and DSG. I have tested repeatedly in the reported rev range just to make sure it is not my deaf ears failing to pick it up - still I guess if it is there and I don't hear it then it doesn't matter anyway

[MurphyTheElf]

FYI, APR Stage 1 only makes the noise begin at slightly lower revs - around 1800 for me. I'm in the middle of a trial to determine if it made any difference to the rattling. I'm noticing it even more now, so even though the tune is a total giggle, not sure if I could live with the noise being worse.

Dang.

[Guy_H]

Anyone in Brisbane have this rattle? mine didn't, had several here this week & none have it, was in Melbourne last week & was with a few & they didnt have it.

Maybe I'm not listening for the right thing?

Would be interested to hear it for myself!

[Guy_H]

P.S. - upon reading the 18 pages........

I don't think its a problem, VW don't think its a problem, there are no dead GTI's anywhere.

Wastegates move, they are on a central pivot & they have side play, they are attached to a flap and actuator, they move around and make noise (has been like that since the internally regulated wastegate turbo as invented!). If they fall off, its a big problem - but otherwise its just the dynamics of the car.

My MKIV GTI had all funny noises, my MKV had dash & trim rattles - the MKVI with the twin exhaust sounds & non muffled intake is so different in sound to the MKV its not funny. I think its being blown way out of proportion.

I will happily retract my statement if we see wastegates fall off & turbo's die in the next few months / years.

[Guy_H]

P.P.S. - the stage 3 on my GTI makes no rattles at all

[MurphyTheElf]

P.S. - upon reading the 18 pages........

I don't think its a problem, VW don't think its a problem, there are no dead GTI's anywhere.

Wastegates move, they are on a central pivot & they have side play, they are attached to a flap and actuator, they move around and make noise (has been like that since the internally regulated wastegate turbo as invented!). If they fall off, its a big problem - but otherwise its just the dynamics of the car.

My MKIV GTI had all funny noises, my MKV had dash & trim rattles - the MKVI with the twin exhaust sounds & non muffled intake is so different in sound to the MKV its not funny. I think its being blown way out of proportion.

I will happily retract my statement if we see wastegates fall off & turbo's die in the next few months / years.

Nobody is suggesting it is a fault that would damage the car. It is something that detracts from the driving experience. From day 1, it sounded to me like an exhaust heat shield rattle - like tin vibrating on another metal object. It drives me bonkers when I'm expecting to hear a turbo whine or a wastegate woosh - instead I hear a 1982 Datsun trying to overtake me. It's especially loud driving up hills in the pre-mentioned rev range. I live on a hill, so I hear it every bloody day.

As for blowing it out of proportion, do you think people would bring it up and keep searching for a solution if they didn't feel strongly enough about it? I'm sure it's very subjective, but I'm certainly not alone in my extreme dislike of the noise.

[Corey_R]

Thanks for the feedback Guy.

Your feelings on the issue are pretty much what mine have been since the start. I agree that the main concern should be whether the part is reliable or not.

[MIRSAD]

Nobody is suggesting it is a fault that would damage the car. It is something that detracts from the driving experience. From day 1, it sounded to me like an exhaust heat shield rattle - like tin vibrating on another metal object. It drives me bonkers when I'm expecting to hear a turbo whine or a wastegate woosh - instead I hear a 1982 Datsun trying to overtake me. It's especially loud driving up hills in the pre-mentioned rev range. I live on a hill, so I hear it every bloody day.

As for blowing it out of proportion, do you think people would bring it up and keep searching for a solution if they didn't feel strongly enough enough about it? I'm sure it's very subjective, but I'm certainly not alone in my extreme dislike of the noise.

Fully agree.

[Guy_H]

Hopefully someone in Brisbane can come & show me - just spoke to a friend of mine (head tech at one of the largest VW dealerships in the country) & he confirmed, its an acoustic thing that is accentuated by the MKVI's high flowing exhaust - Also confirmed that the MKV's have the exact same setup, you probably don't hear it because of the completely different exhaust design.

Can anyone hear it with windows up & air con on, or is it only windows down situation?