Multivan vibration query

[Silver Caravelle]

Hi all,

My 10 month old auto tdi Multivan has in recent weeks developed some increased (although minor) vibration when in drive at idle. It is evidenced by some vibration through the steering wheel (also a bit of a tingling feeling through the cabin) when stationary in drive/reverse. Previously felt very tight with no discernable vibration at idle.

Feels fine when driving or when in neutral.

Would this be normal for a low km Tdi vehicle, having 'settled in' a bit. Or should I be sending it to the dealer to check a loose or softened transmission mount or engine coupling?

Separately, can anyone comment on the power steering noises? Seems to be a bit of vibration and chip evident at low speed or stationary. My understanding is that the PS drives from an engine coupling.

Thanks,

Scott

[BrianJ]

Hi all,
Separately, can anyone comment on the power steering noises? Seems to be a bit of vibration and chip evident at low speed or stationary. My understanding is that the PS drives from an engine coupling.
Scott

My kombi beach vibrates a bit and is audible sometimes when load is put on the power steering. I have put this down to the load from the pump, and I also never pull the steering wheel against the full lock stops.

Brian

[Silver Caravelle]

Brian,

Thanks for your reply.


The concern in particular is the slightly the increased vibration in Drive/Reverse when stationary. I am thinking it might be a engine or transmission mount issue.

Regards,

Scott

[Ivo]

No vibration in mine. But it may have allready had the vibration from when I got the car so I cant tell if its normal or not.

[Silver Caravelle]

Anybody else care to comment?

Thanks,

Scott

[gregozedobe]

Does sound like it might be transmission related. Can't comment on whether it is "normal" for an auto as I have a manual.

[Silver Caravelle]

Thanks also. I will get it checked out at the next service due in about 1500km's.

As an aside my variable service indicator came on at about 10,500 km's stating 2500 km's to next service. Does this seem right or should I wait until 15000km's. The windscreen sticker says 15000km, but the book indcates variable service regime?

Regards,

Scott

[Silver Caravelle]

To give you an up date. I am due a service soon and will get the vibration checked out in the next week or so.

I did a longish trip on the Saturday from Melbourne to Metung and back (650KM) and gave it a good flogging on some quiet country roads.

The vibration at idle seemed a little better - possibly assisted by a fully warm engine, mounts and Tiptronic etc.

Yesterday it was more pronounced with a colder engine on a shorter run perhaps lugging against the colder oil. It sort of feels like a hamomic throb through the steering wheel in drive or reverse when stationary.

It also lead me to look up one of the older posts from T5 Tornado regarding strut mount vibration, with noisy power steerring - which mine has. I will ask the dealer about this and whether it is related to the vibration matter.

Regards,

Scott

[Silver Caravelle]

Hi all,

As an update, I had the Multivan serviced recently for its first 15,000K service.

Pulsing drivetrain vibration as prevously described is still there, although it varies from hardly noticable to noticable from day to day.

The service people checked engine mounts and there was nothing detected. No faults showed up on their VAG reader.

So none the wiser at this stage. Feels a little jackhammer like when idling in drive - pulsing through the steering wheel. Otherwise reasonably smooth when accelerating.

Any further thoughts?

Regards,

Scott

[Transporter]

What is the engine idle speed?
It should be 700-850 rpm

[Silver Caravelle]

What is the engine idle speed?
It should be 700-850 rpm

The engine speed is spot on within that range (approximately 750 to 800). And hasn't altered since new (12months). What has altered is the vibration/pulsing feel. Can be felt in Drive or Reverse when stationary/pulling up a the lights etc, but does vary in terms of significance.

Cheers,

Scott

[gregozedobe]

Is there any chance the vibration is being caused by a DPF regeneration ? If you do lots of stop-start driving (eg heavy traffic) and/or short trips the soots builds up in the DPF more, so the ECU runs more frequent regenerations to burn off the soot. Most people don't notice a regeneration when they are moving, but it supposedely makes the idle a bit rough (and smells very hot).

Do you still get the vibration if you select neutral when going along at a reasonable speed (looking for clues as to the source of the vibration - engine or drive train).

If it was a manual I'd be looking suspiciously at the DMF, but yours is an auto so it can't be that.

Driveshafts are another potential source, but only vibrate when you are moving (or trying to move when they're completely gone).

[Silver Caravelle]

Is there any chance the vibration is being caused by a DPF regeneration ? If you do lots of stop-start driving (eg heavy traffic) and/or short trips the soots builds up in the DPF more, so the ECU runs more frequent regenerations to burn off the soot. Most people don't notice a regeneration when they are moving, but it supposedely makes the idle a bit rough (and smells very hot).

Do you still get the vibration if you select neutral when going along at a reasonable speed (looking for clues as to the source of the vibration - engine or drive train).

If it was a manual I'd be looking suspiciously at the DMF, but yours is an auto so it can't be that.

Driveshafts are another potential source, but only vibrate when you are moving (or trying to move when they're completely gone).

Hi gregozedobe,

Thanks for the suggestions. I know it is not the DFP regeneration that is causing the vibration for the following reasons. Firstly the DFP regeneration occurred on the weekend during a country run. It tends to occur about every 6 to 7 weeks dependant on my driving cycle. You can sort of hear the turbo making sorts of whoosping noises (with some engine surge) at lowish revs during DFP regeneration. And as you indicate smells very hot. Secondly, the 'vibration' has only occurred since I first raised this post.

The vibration is not evident in neutral when going along at a reasonable speed.

I am still leaning towards an engine mount (may be a very slighty loose mount), but was not able to convince the dealer. They appear to not think there are any issues with the engine mounts. My previous T4 Caravelle had engine mount problems that were only detected with the mounts removed and fully examined - show signs of internal fatigue. One would hope it isn't mounts after only 10,000 to 15,000KMs!

The Dealer mentioned the EGR can cause rough running, but I would not have thought when idling as the EGR is supposed to be closed at idle. In any case idle is smooth/stable.

Drive shafts feel tight and do not appear be showing signs of any slip/play. Perhaps I should somehow explore this one further though

No obvious signs of exhaust issues.

Thanks again for your suggestions. I might have to wait to see if it gets worse over time before it can be isolated.

Regards,

Scott

[gregozedobe]

Maybe worth pulling off the bottom engine cover and getting a pry bar in to see if the engine moves much on the engine mounts - if it does then you have some concrete info to present to your dealer. It is unfortunate, but many dealers seem reluctant to do any warranty work without a bit of prodding (maybe VWA pay rates are too low ?). So many times you hear of people being fobbed off with the old "they all do that, it is just a characteristic of the vehicle" line, when they don't, there is something wrong that needs fixing. Thankfully my dealer (Lennock motors) doesn't usually do that to me.

[Silver Caravelle]

Maybe worth pulling off the bottom engine cover and getting a pry bar in to see if the engine moves much on the engine mounts - if it does then you have some concrete info to present to your dealer. It is unfortunate, but many dealers seem reluctant to do any warranty work without a bit of prodding (maybe VWA pay rates are too low ?). So many times you hear of people being fobbed off with the old "they all do that, it is just a characteristic of the vehicle" line, when they don't, there is something wrong that needs fixing. Thankfully my dealer (Lennock motors) doesn't usually do that to me.

I hear you and couldn't agree more.

I was hoping not to be crawling under a 12 month vehicle and have got to a point in my life where I couldn't really be bothered Yep, best I get inspired and drag the overalls out of the cupboard to check it out for myself. The whole arrangement looks at least from under the bonnet much more complicated than the T4 Caravelle.....with the subframe mounts and engine mounts etc.

Cheers,

Scott