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

[FredGTI]

Can you please let me know what VW tell you. If they fix it or not.
..
I'm thinking of taking it back and getting them to check the heat shield isn't loose.

[MurphyTheElf]

I've just emailed my service manager to book in a test drive with a mechanic.

[WhiteJames]

Heat shield rattle was something I picked up on a friends vehicle. Dealer diagnosed the actual problem. The fuel clip issue is intermittent and my dealer stated it was a common problem with the MKV GTI. Both a quick fixes. Not sure about the exhaust bedding in; it would be either a loose exhaust clip or some other problem.

Cheers.
WJ

[MurphyTheElf]

Just got the car back with the diagnosis that it is a rattle of the flap and rods of the wastegate upon start of boost at around 2400 - 3000rpm. This is from an internal bulletin. Bulletin also states NOT to fix and that it is a characteristic of the car.

I also had triple-confirmed that the service centre is aware of the fancy RNS-510 firmware on the my-gti.com website, and that it has not been released in Australia and will void my warranty on the unit if installed.

So my GTI has a rattle that makes it sound like a Datsun with a bung muffler and I'm unable to use SD cards larger than 2GB.

Conclusion: really not happy with my first experience with VW service (though not necessarily the specific dealer).

[MurphyTheElf]

More about it here:

http://forums.motivemag.com/zerothread?id=4729854&postid=63483518

and here:

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=4098548&page=1

It seems that it affects many or all 2.0 TSI engines. The first forum lifts the actual VW bulletin from another site:

Technical product information Transaction No.: 2021062/1
Rattling noises from engine/exhaust system Release date: 10-Jul-2009

Customer statement / workshop findings

Rattling or jarring noise from the engine compartment / exhaust system when accelerating between 2400 and 3000 rpm .

Technical background

Waste gate adjustment rod of the turbo charger rattles when accelerating.

Production change

---

Measure

Do not repair, the noises are construction-related and normal. There is no parts damage.

Warranty accounting instructions

This is no fault in the sense of warranty.

Judging by the number of pages on the 2nd forum, it's quite widespread and certainly distracting enough for owners to bring it up. Perhaps if enough people complain, VW will be forced to actually address the problem. Those with cars on order, too, should register their concern.

Mine actually occurs from slightly lower revs - around 2000 - and it's loud enough for passengers to notice if the stereo is off or low, especially with the windows down.

[MIRSAD]

Hi MurphyTheElf,

I have some kind of noise but not sure is it same like on Your GTI.

It is not easy for me to describe it (not sure is it easy to record it as I did it with squealing noise on my 118TSI)

I am having service in 2 weeks ... just wandering is it possible that I meet You somewhere in Perth to compare noises.

Thanks

Mirsad

[tbone malone]

I am getting a kind of intermittent rattle but I'm not sure if it is the same as what is described so far...

Mine actually occurs from slightly lower revs - around 2000 - and it's loud enough for passengers to notice if the stereo is off or low, especially with the windows down.

Mine actually happens when coasting at low revs with NO throttle input - best way to describe the sound is like deep, short burps coming from the engine bay in front of the driver. Not too loud but did have music on when I first noticed it.

Perhaps if enough people complain, VW will be forced to actually address the problem.

Took it to a dealer for a quick check but of course Murphy's law I couldn't replicate the noise for them. They told me it was probably the wastegate operating normally but I would like a definite answer for peace of mind...

[Mk6 GTI]

More about it here:

http://forums.motivemag.com/zerothread?id=4729854&postid=63483518

and here:

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=4098548&page=1

It seems that it affects many or all 2.0 TSI engines. The first forum lifts the actual VW bulletin from another site:



Judging by the number of pages on the 2nd forum, it's quite widespread and certainly distracting enough for owners to bring it up. Perhaps if enough people complain, VW will be forced to actually address the problem. Those with cars on order, too, should register their concern.

Mine actually occurs from slightly lower revs - around 2000 - and it's loud enough for passengers to notice if the stereo is off or low, especially with the windows down.

Hey Mate,

Thats disappointing! Such a great car.. things like this can ruin the experience. I am really wondering if all of them are experiencing the same problem? Or is it limited to some..

[mckens]

I had a test drive of my GTI booked in with the service department to investigate the rattle on Wednesday, but was called out of town on business, so I had to reschedule until next Tuesday. From the updates to this thread it sounds like this is a normal sound and something we shouldn't be concerned about, but it just doesn't seem right.

I'll still take mine in and see what VW have to say...

[MurphyTheElf]

Now I know the rev range and the cause, I find it very easy to replicate now. The level of acceleration is as important as the rev range. If you accelerate too hard, none of the boost is "wasted" and therefore all you hear is the glorious turbo whine and exhaust burble. Too soft and the turbo doesn't really kick in at all. You need moderate acceleration between 2000 and 3000 rpm, best off starting from 1st or 2nd gear to minimise engine and road noise. Winding all the windows down and having an otherwise quiet environment helps.

The conditions sound very specific, but it falls in the "normal, sensible driving" category. Perhaps that's why many GTI owners aren't noticing it at all....

[Wiifi]

Hi Guys,

We are about a week or so away from buying a Candy White MK6 GTI. I am concerned about this "rattle" because I noticed it too in the demo I got to have overnight.

My partner and I were driving up the M4 last night ...when I acellerated a little more in 6th we could hear this "rattle". It wasnt a rough rattle...But it was somthing like steel wool being spun around in tin can. First I thought it must be the turbo... but after I a while I could tell what sound was the turbo and this wasnt it. My patner and I were getting quite annoyed by it. We first thought it was actually wind noise and we checked to make sure we had closed off all vents and windows etc...but the noise was still there.

Took the car back this morning, they said they didnt know what it could be, but said that with the car only having 200kms on the clock, that it was still "settling in".

But this post clearly suggests that after a few thousand K's its still there.

Will a rattle stop me from buying this otherwise wonderful car.

[MurphyTheElf]

Sounds like it could be another one, although without further tests we can't be sure. Steel wool in a can isn't really how I'd describe my rattle. More of a tic tac in a ceramic cup. OK - now the descriptions are just getting obscure.

I'd really like to document this rattle amongst Australian TSI 2.0 owners. I'm planning on meeting up with Mirsad at some point to compare the noises to see if we're on the same page.

[Wiifi]

Well it definately wasnt a hard rattle like how you described it. Definately more like air rushing in our from somewhere, but as I said the car was all closed up. Air-con was off etc. But twasn't just air as there was a slight metallic sound to it.

[scurup]

hey Wiifi, which dealer lent you the car overnight? Im assuming barloworld five dock if your near the M4?

Cheers

[Wiifi]

Hey Scurup,

It was actually the guys at Chatswood. I test drove a manual at Barloworld a month ago, but that was the only good thing about it all. THought the service there was less then satisfactory, and well the salesman was an idiot. (cracking jokes that werent funny, not knowing anything about the car)

We got the car over night from the guys at Chatswood (who were bloody great, friendly, knowledgeable and NOT PUSHY) , because I wasnt convinced about the DSG after only a 20 minute drive. I have a manual car now, and the DSG seemed too aggressive for me. But after a night I got the hang of it and loved it!!

I am a serious buyer too, so if you are a tyre kicker I doubt you'll get one for over night. We are just crunhing some numbers and we will be back next weekend to talk a deal.