Golf R Rattle/Buzz

[lincs]

Hi All

I wrote a post in the R observation thread about a buzzy rattle that Ive got in my R. Just wondering if anyone else has had any buzzes from theirs yet?.. (hopefully not like the myriad of gti creaks/rattles/buzzes!) After reading hours of threads from all vw forums, I cant find any reports of anyone else with an annoying R noise... nor buzzes related to their pirelli.

My R rattle doesnt seem to be as pronounced as the infamous 2200-3000rpm DP/WG "normal" GTI rattle.

It comes from the front passenger side. Seemingly from the A pillar.. or air vent.. or dash/windscreen.. or behind the glovebox. Which I know means it could be coming from bloody anywhere!

1. It's more of a buzz than a rattle. Sounds like static radio. Dont think it's loud enough to be too noticeable from outside.
2. It's temperamental and most likely to occur when cold.. although it has started buzzing for me an hour into a drive through the hills.
3. Through periods of buzzing, bumps will enhance it (so it's not directly acceleration related... but then when warm, accelerating up to 3000rpm in 4th has set it off!)
4. Pushing on various parts of the dash hasnt changed anything whilst it's buzzing.

It has had a trip back to the dealer, where of COURSE I couldnt get it to rattle/buzz.. so they couldnt really diagnose anything if they dont hear what it sounds like...

Soooo... I'm not really expecting any miracle cures from here, but maybe if anyone had any remedial things i could check? Being more of a "buzz" I assume it has to be something small or flimsy that can reverberate, rather than a thicker heat shield that would "rattle".

Well, thats enough thinking out loud... but it will drive me mad until it's fixed!

Thanks for whoever has any ideas!

[Corey_R]

So you're describing interior rattles or buzzes?

[lincs]

So you're describing interior rattles or buzzes?

it sounds like it... front dash passenger side corner. like a static AM radio in the demister vent.

but who knows, cos i guess buzzes from the engine bay can still emanate and make it seem like an "interior" noise.

[jrgti]

I drive a GTI MK6. I've heard it just once. A short rattle at the corner of the front passenger side. Thought it was some bush leaves stuck on my wheels or something.

[BezzyR]

I think I found it...




Sorry could not pass that one up..

Maybe drop into your dealer and get them to suss it out.. without hearing anything in person I imagine would be hard to kinda diagnose?

[SilvrFoxX]

Just a question.. could it be coming from your radio.. there have been a number of issues presenting.. a buzz has an electrical feel to it rather than a rattle or vibration. Worth a check of software at the very least

[lincs]

Maybe drop into your dealer and get them to suss it out.. without hearing anything in person I imagine would be hard to kinda diagnose?

yeh i took it once and it wouldnt buzz lightyear for us on a 10min test drive... got it booked again for the 19th on my next RDO.

Just a question.. could it be coming from your radio.. there have been a number of issues presenting.. a buzz has an electrical feel to it rather than a rattle or vibration. Worth a check of software at the very least

it certainly has that sort of sound to it, but its exacerbated by accerlation (sometimes) and bumps (sometimes) and happens with the stereo off completely. but a software check would be pretty easy for them tick off as a yay or nay problem. ta

its ****ting me to infinity and beyond

[pologti18t]

I assume you are sitting in the passenger seat while listening for this sound?

If not, then you may think its coming from that area when in fact it is not.

[Idle]

Does it still happen when you have a front seat passenger?

[lincs]

Does it still happen when you have a front seat passenger?

yep its the same with and without a passenger.. my wife and i agree that its def coming from that side.

[Idle]

yep its the same with and without a passenger.. my wife and i agree that its def coming from that side.

That probably rules out the seat belt, which often vibrates a bit on mine if it's left loose.

I've also found that a rattle from somewhere in the rear can sound as if it's up front — Golfs have funny acoustic effects sometimes.

[lincs]

so i ventured back to the dealer today with my buzzlightyear R. it buzzed beautifully for the assistant tech when i went for a cold test run this morning and he was quite surprised by it....

however when mr head german tech got round to having a look at a warm test run, he couldnt hear the buzz (surprise surprise). his little computer told him that everything was normal (what a smart little computer), however he believes that a solenoid behind the dash connected to the exhaust is what's vibrating and causing the rattle. does anyone here know what he might be referring to or where it's located? apparently it's a whole day job to get to this mystery exhaust solenoid (which apparently is designed to make the R sound cool like the R32, but instead makes it sound like i have 100 flies on a pile of dog **** under my dash every morning). so of course because HE didnt hear it, everything is fine, but after i said it's not acceptable, they said they would put through a report to vw hq and see what they say. apparently because it's not a fault it's not covered under warranty. kiss my arse, vw, you'll fix my rattle one day!

so yeh, looks like another trip back soon for a cold run with the german man to convince him that myself and everyone else (including the vw assistant tech) that we're not going mad.

[REXman]

I think I found it...

LMAO **** head that ****en killed me!!!

[Corey_R]

so i ventured back to the dealer today with my buzzlightyear R. it buzzed beautifully for the assistant tech when i went for a cold test run this morning and he was quite surprised by it....

however when mr head german tech got round to having a look at a warm test run, he couldnt hear the buzz (surprise surprise). his little computer told him that everything was normal (what a smart little computer), however he believes that a solenoid behind the dash connected to the exhaust is what's vibrating and causing the rattle. does anyone here know what he might be referring to or where it's located? apparently it's a whole day job to get to this mystery exhaust solenoid (which apparently is designed to make the R sound cool like the R32

I'm no mechanic, but from the description it sounds as though there is a mechnical actuator (solenoid) which opens the valve (or flap, or whatever it is) in the exhaust at a defined RPM to create additional/different sound.
I was under the impression that the valve in the exhaust opened by the exhaust flow/pressure through the exhaust - but I guess a solenoid doing it makes sense too.

VW aren't the only manufacturer who has an "active" or "variable" exhaust. Plenty of manufacturers use them, including companies like Aston Martin on some of their V8s (and V12's) etc.

It's one of the ways that manufacturers are able to make an exhaust which is both "sporty", but then also "refined" (i.e. it shuts the hell up when all you're doing is cruising... nothing worse than driving from Sydney to Brisbane and then not being able to get some sleep cause your ears are ringing so loudly from 10 hours of LOUDNESS!)

[lincs]

I'm no mechanic, but from the description it sounds as though there is a mechnical actuator (solenoid) which opens the valve (or flap, or whatever it is) in the exhaust at a defined RPM to create additional/different sound.
I was under the impression that the valve in the exhaust opened by the exhaust flow/pressure through the exhaust - but I guess a solenoid doing it makes sense too.

VW aren't the only manufacturer who has an "active" or "variable" exhaust. Plenty of manufacturers use them, including companies like Aston Martin on some of their V8s (and V12's) etc.

It's one of the ways that manufacturers are able to make an exhaust which is both "sporty", but then also "refined" (i.e. it shuts the hell up when all you're doing is cruising... nothing worse than driving from Sydney to Brisbane and then not being able to get some sleep cause your ears are ringing so loudly from 10 hours of LOUDNESS!)

yeh its the actual solenoid that's vibrating by the sounds of it, but as the vcds said it's a-ok, they wont do anything about it... yet... i need the head tech to hear it when cold! that should change his mind.