Short noise after starting engine (video)

[Aurel]

Hi,

I bought this 2003 Polo SE few weeks ago, and it passed the RWC easily but realized the next day that a short weird noise was occurring quite often (maybe 50% of the time) after I start the engine.
I made a video of it on youtube for you to hear it:

YouTube


Do you have any idea what it could be? I need to do a service soon, and i would like to make sure they are fixing the right thing.

Cheers,

Aurel

[brad]

It sounds a bit like the starter motor isn't disengaging from the flywheel immediately.

[Aurel]

It sounds a bit like the starter motor isn't disengaging from the flywheel immediately.

Thanks for your reply, if it was the case, do you think it is something i need to get fixed asap? And would it be expensive to fix? Cheers

[brad]

I never like mystery noises, so I'd get it at least diagnosed. it might be as simple as removing the starter motor and applying some lube. Maybe an hours work...

try Alba European in Slacks Creek (I think he's still working). He's a good VW mech.

[simon k]

I doubt it's the starter motor, it makes the noise after a short pause after starting, starter motor would make noise continually.
Diagnosing a sound with a video from behind the steering wheel is just about impossible, that noise could just as easily be from a kid on a bicycle beside the car

You need to do more diagnostics yourself - you say it happens 50% of the time, find the pattern - cold start, warm start, morning, afternoon, parked on a hill... ?

open the bonnet and get someone to start the car, is it louder under the bonnet? where does it come from - take a video of that
turn the air conditioning off before starting it, do you get the noise? turn it on, do you get the noise?
start out of gear with your foot off the clutch, does it make the noise? start it with your foot on the clutch, noise? start it in gear, noise?

if you're not mechanically inclined, take the car to someone who is and fiddle around with it

[Aurel]

Good point, I was hoping it was a common/obvious issue that many people had before. It seems to occur when restarting the car after not too long. It does not seem to happen in the morning with a cold engine. It is an auto. It seems to be louder when bonnet is opened. Ill keep investigating when I will have someone around to start the car for me.

[Guest001]

Loose timing chain??????

[simon k]

Loose timing chain??????

nah, that'd be constant and probably get worse with heat

it's more likely to be an idler pulley or A/C clutch