Golf R Metallic Ringing Noise

[TFAD]

Hi All

I have a Golf R Wagon Wolfsburg which is a couple of months old.

It's had a metallic ringing sound coming from the engine bay from day one, and I'm wondering if other Australian owners experience the same thing. To describe it:

- It's muffled but obvious and is a high pitched ringing sound
- Sounds kind of like a distance fire bell, metal pipe rolling along the ground or marble rolling around in a glass jar
- Is most apparent under acceleration between 1500 and 2500 rpm
- Seems to stop when coasting or at constant speed irrespective of the revs
- Seems more obvious when the engine is cold
- Doesn't seem to be able to be replicated when the engine is revved in neutral
- Overseas users have reported the noise in both GTI and R models

The service manager at my dealer initially said they didn't hear the sound, then when I told them it was still there called to say that a service note from VW says it is a normal sound that is to do with the turbos.

According to the service manager it is not associated with the Sound Actuator as this was a noise rectified between the last model and the current one.

If its normal it's disappointing because it make what was a pretty expensive car sound pretty cheap.

Anyone else experiencing this?

TFAD

[jonoz]

I wanna say this sounds like the exhaust valves being in the wrong position for the mode? Try flicking the mode between Normal and Race to see if the sound stops

Oh whoops, engine bay, actually think that's the wastegate rattling about?

[murcod]

Could it be detonation?

[Primordial]

No it's not detonation. It's a known issue (to VW), and it's palmed off as a "feature of the vehicle". ie. It's not a problem in their eyes..

The cause on the MK6 was a wastegate actuator which was rattling at certain RPM. The jury is still out on the cause in the current model. It sounds a little bit like a heat shroud rattling.

[TFAD]

It's slightly less noticeable in Race mode but only because the rev band is generally higher.

Lower speed acceleration and between 1500-2000 rpm is when it's most noticeable, and I would call it a 'jingling' metal-on-metal noise rather than a rattle..almost like a loose washer or something.

[xintis]

I have that happening since day one on my MK7 R, with my one experiencing it at around 2500 RPM. I also have just gotten the Coolant Low at 8000 km, so I've just booked it in for a warranty service as this should not be happening. Let's hope they can figure out that that metal clanging sound is.

[samps]

Waste gate rattle most likely, it's a common issue.

[DKC]

Just got my R Wagon, and yes I hear this ringing like a bell from the engine bay as well. In addition there is also a hissing like a snake noise which I was told is the turbo.

[jrathgen]

Had the same type of noise since I picked up my GTi in June - dealer said nothing other than standard noise, no explanation

[andrew7]

I've also got it on my Wolfsburg R Hatch

My dealer is currently fluffing around "diagnosing" it, but it is a known issue with the MK7 R/S3 particularly in the UK where many peeps have been jumping up and down to get it fixed to no avail (google search the UK Audi S3 forums for 20+ pages on it). The current VW position is that it is "normal", but this is my 3rd MK7 R (don't ask!) and its the first of mine to have this f@@### sound.

The best explanation Ive heard is via a 3rd party aeronautical engineer who explains it as the turbo valve flapping under intake. The clinking sound is from the valve falling back onto the metal, hence the metal on metal contact sound. This sound tends to reduce with age as there is some buildup around the valve rim which cushions the metal-metal contact.

It is distinct from the wastgage rattle (mk6 GTI) which was a harder noise rattle under heavy acceleration (which i also had). This rattle was fixed with a simple clip. (the MK7 rattle is noticed under all light acceleration; its drowned out when you floor it)

If I don't get assistance from VWA in fixing this rattle (which I don't expect based on the UK VW/Audi experience), I will be looking to VW independent service specialists to (hopefully) replace the offending turbo valve parts as for me it totally ruins the entire driving experience.

I suggest that as many of us with this issue make as much noise as possible with VWA/our dealers in the hope that there is a resolution as it simply is not good enough

[Bersk]

I got this in my R wagon also from the day I picked it up.... Always thought it sounded like a exhaust heat shield or something vibrating at lower revs when under load.... It's bloody annoying! They did such a good job of muffling the actual engine sound that they needed to make a soundaktor but they can't hide this noise haha!


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[Jimi]

Have this exact thing on my gti too. Definitely not wastegate or sound actuator. Much lighter rattling. Also told it was a characteristic of the engine

[Dutch77]

There are definitely two distinct issues at play - I had the wastegate issue on my Mk6 and that was definitely different to the issue here which 'featured' on my Mk7 instead.

Interesting that it's not consistent across the board again per Andrew's tale; I'll be interested to see if an independent can resolve it and what the fix is.

[andrew7]

Wondering if a replacement aftermarket DV valve might do the trick?? I am on a mission to eliminate this noise!

[Primordial]

Wondering if a replacement aftermarket DV valve might do the trick?? I am on a mission to eliminate this noise!

Nope, I have a GFB DV+ and it still exists.