R36 engine rattle when cold starting

[Msports180]

Hi guys,

Just trying to gather some info on R36 engine problems.

Ours has had a engine rattle when cold starting pretty much from the day we got it ( 1yr ago with 42,000k's) had taken it back to the local dealer Bunbury VW 5 times to find the issue, they could not find it, changed a few things and still there.

I spat it with them and took is to Osbourne Park VW and they knew striaght away, its the timing chain (meanwhile i had actually mentioned i thought it was this to bunbury VW and they fobbed me off).

So their telling me its common for these to do this?!! Until it builds oil pressure the slack in the timing chain can rattle? Has anyone else had this problem? Its sounds damn right awfull. Im sorry but any car thats done that many kays SHOULD NOT have any engine rattle of any sort.

Im just trying to see if anyone else has had this? I have had an oil sample done and the next thing im going to do is contact the motor trade's association. I can see them fobbing me off till its out of warranty then going at the next service " oh the timing chains need to be done and thats $5k thanks"

Help guys, its putting me off a somewhat perfect car.

[jasspa]

Yes mine does the same thing when cold for a few seconds only then stops. I notice it more after the car has not been driven for a few days.

[Msports180]

Yep same as our's. Have you asked your dealer about it? I notice ur's is an 08 to, maybe its just the early one's as they claim.

[jasspa]

It's has been deen doing this as long as I can remember ( have 14k on the clock now). It is up for a service soon so I will ask and see if this is "normal".

[Msports180]

Sweet thanks.

[jasspa]

I see that you and others has posted info here: Passat R36 Forum - R36Owners.NET - Passat R36, 3.6 V6 DSG • View topic - Engine rattle-when cold starting

[Msports180]

Yeah i thought id chuck it up here to so i can gather as much info before i go the MTA.

[jasspa]

From the other posts, seems to be a issue with only the 08 models. I better get the extended warranty as it runs out in a few months.

[R36FTW]

Some of those dealer quotes are hilarious, but scary and something they should be absolutely ashamed of. It's no secret these guys are sales trained and are probably terrible at engineering, but to make stuff up when discussing an issue with a customer is shameful "its a high performance engine and the oil needs to circulate around" is just ridiculous, I hope you laughed in his face and called him out.

Car salesmen are often not the brightest chaps, but they represent a corporation and if they feed customers who know more than they do about cars bs, they are going to know immediately. Having done everything from clutches, wiring, tuning, turbo installations and complete engine swaps at home and having a few good mechanics and tuners as friends, they better not try to bs me when I discuss anything with them. Having some dodgy goons work on my car was the biggest stress involved in purchasing and maintaining my new car. I wish I could simply do it all myself.