What noises does your FR TDI make?

[JonoUK]

Engine noises I mean?

I've started to notice (but I'm sure it's been there forever, done 950 miles or so now...) that it sounds rather.... not exactly rough, but different from about 1250 - 2000 revs. Say if I'm pootling along at whatever speed that is in whatever gear - seems to be in all gears.

It doesn't do it at idle, It's just when you prod the throttle a little bit, when you're accellerating gently.

Is it normal? Is it just the way it sounds? Or is it something to be worried about?

Haven't checked oil level yet, will go do that now. Just sounds a bit more... throaty than usual.

 

[jonjay]

VAG dervs tend to sound rougher than other dervs...I drove a new pug derv and it sounded like 50% quieter than mine so I would say its normal.

 

[Daff]

I've got a 2.0Tdi Ref Sport with 2500 miles on it. Mine has a strange type resonating or vibrating noise at around 1250 rpm in all gears - comes from the engine bay. I can't work out what it is but it's definitely not normal. I also get a lot of soot residue on my rear bumper and tailgate, and the occasional stutter when driving. Does any of this sound like yours?

 

[JonoUK]

The noise sounds exactly the same. It's definitely from somewhere in the engine bay. I don't get any soot residue that I've noticed (but I have the DPF so I shouldn't get ANY?) and I've, touch wood, not had any stutters at all.

 

[hdi_d turbo]

The noise you are describing sounds the same as mine makes, at low revs, on part throttle, moving in traffic up to a junction or round about, stop start type driving it does it most.

I think it its just the noise of the injectors & diesel clatter, not being covered up by the induction/turbo/general engine noise. If you notice it doing it, nail the throttle and the noise will dissaear.

All 4 of my last cars have been diesels and have made similar noises under the same conditions, just at varying noise levels, as noted Pugs were quieter!

 

[hdi_d turbo]

Better way to describe it is when the engine is not under much load!

 

[Daff]

Well I had a 1.9 tdi Golf Mark 5 before this Leon for 3 years and it never made this type of noise. I don't think the noise is normal, in my opinion, but I'm not sure how to get the dealer to sort it.

 

[JonoUK]

I'm gonna phone my dealer and see what they say. I've only had one diesel before, which was my previous car - A toyota.
Ok so it was a 1.4 and had just enough power to pull the skin off a rice pudding (actually, it wasn't that bad... it just ran out of steam far too soon and had no mid-range or above power of which to speak...but I digress).

It didn't make that sort of noise. No one else's car I've been in in the VAG group (golf TDI (all red - does that make it a 150?) and a Passat on an 03 plate never sound like this does.

If it's benign, then fair enough. But if it's a problem then it's better to sort it out, or get it looked at, at least.

I hate these forums. You keep reading threads about this and that going wrong with Leons, but you go and drive one and want one... but there's always a nagging at the back of your mind. "what if mine breaks?"

Still love it to bits though.

 

[MartH]

Is it noisy upto 2500rpm and then quiet after that? and only does it every couple of weeks or so? then its the "transit van mode" feature... its cleaning out the DPF.

 

[JonoUK]

Yeah you don't notice it at all above 2000/2500... road noise at higer speeds in higher gears drowns it out, but it's definitely within that rev range in all gears as far as I can tell, but it seems to be doing it most of the time. I've only had it 3 weeks, coming up to 1000miles (which it will hit tomorrow) and I've mostly been driving granny style, at least with the accelleration. Today it got up to about 3750rpm. I think it's run in enough to risk it.

Could that be it?

Where is the DPF on the leon anyway? It's definitely coming from the front driver's side (right side, uk car)... I did think it might be the plastic engine cover, but it probably isn't. There's only some... stuff.. and washer/brake?? reservoirs in that area of the engine bay.. and what a funny-looking dipstick. Oil is full..or as high as it should be.

 

[Daff]

Jonouk
My noise is in exactly the same place, but I don't think that my Ref Sport has the DPF (correct me if I'm wrong) - I can't really see what it would be though? My oil levels are also well up & I check levels every week.

 

[Crazyhazy]

Mines going in tomorrow morning for the rattle at low revs, I know for a fact it's not the DPF cleaning, as numerous people say on here it definately sounds like a tractor when it's cleaning, as for the oil level, I posted a thread a few weeks ago about my oil level and got a few replies, but the general consensus of opinion is that all was well, all I will say about that is whats the point of having a gauge on a dipstick if your oil is ok half inch above the max mark? (as mine is) baffles me that one!!!

 

[JonoUK]

Just reading that post about Leon in the workshop. I hope it's not more cylinder heads been put on the wrong way around and diesel leaking into the oil

I'm going to keep a very close eye on my dipstick...If it keeps getting higher... grrr.
</hypochondriac mode>

 

[JonoUK]

Ok, I now know it's not the engine cover, even though mine is loose in one corner due to the little bit it clips into on one corner being broken (has been like that since knew). I know this because I took it off and went for a little drive - same noise...

It's definitely from the front driver's side, seems quite low down from what I can tell (which could be wrong) but I just found this:

loads of people have had this problem, me included.

Open the bonnet, just behind the driver's side headlight there is a solid plastic boost pipe that disappears downwards. Under engine movement they quite often touch the fuel filter housing (black plastic canister housing behind the headlight). Fix is to tape some foam either onto the pipe or the filter housing so they don't make a noise when they touch

I have lots of pipes. Does anyone have a pic of an engine bay with these pipes on the FR TDI pointed out? Or if I went and took one, could someone use their awesome ms paint skills to show me where this is?

I think the above quote is from a thread about a noisy ibiza. But could it be the same thing?
It's not a metallic sound, not too dissimilar from a hole in the back end of the exhaust in tone, but more of a vibration... I can't really explain it other than increasingly irritating and noticable now I've noticed I can notice it.

 

[JonoUK]

Here be some pics.. if they show anything useful...

Seems to be coming from somewhere in this region...maybe.

 

[Crazyhazy]

Took it in today and they said the engine sounded ok to them, but my glovebox was rattling so they tightened it for me....bless. What they did suggest was next time a technician would come out for a run in it so he could tell me if this rattle was normal or not. An ok rattling engine after 9000+ miles - modern technology or what

 

[leedebs]

Took it in today and they said the engine sounded ok to them, but my glovebox was rattling so they tightened it for me....bless. What they did suggest was next time a technician would come out for a run in it so he could tell me if this rattle was normal or not. An ok rattling engine after 9000+ miles - modern technology or what

I had this as well, the dealer said the engine noise is normal, trouble is sometimes it does not make the noise at all and then it's ok but by not been able to replicate the noise at will (unless the seat tech drives 40 miles down the road) they don't seem to want to try anything, really annoying
Has anyone tried mentioning this boost valve or N75 whatever it is & where is this located?

 

[MAdMAtt84]

@JonoUK....i see you posted a similar thread started ages ago by myself.

Ive had 3 TDi Ibiza's now, last one had no engine rattles at all but the heat shield under the gear lever had to be adjusted as it was catching the exchaust, same on my FR (got done other week).

I had a similar rattle to yours, one at idle, but that turned out to be the plastic engine cover, and another at 1800rpm a proper rattle...very annoying.

My car has a Seat Sport strut brace which on the sport fits fine on the FR hits the air box top order, great, some foam stops that no pretty but practical.

Still a slight rattle, took strut brace off along with engine cover (i was deresticting my airbox you see), put it all back and no more rattles but 3 weeks later and a little one has returned in teh same place.

Not exact answer but hey, i couldnt have moved that much stuff when i refitted my strut brace.....food for thought...

Matt

 

[leedebs]

Ok, I now know it's not the engine cover, even though mine is loose in one corner due to the little bit it clips into on one corner being broken (has been like that since knew). I know this because I took it off and went for a little drive - same noise...

It's definitely from the front driver's side, seems quite low down from what I can tell (which could be wrong) but I just found this:



I have lots of pipes. Does anyone have a pic of an engine bay with these pipes on the FR TDI pointed out? Or if I went and took one, could someone use their awesome ms paint skills to show me where this is?

I think the above quote is from a thread about a noisy ibiza. But could it be the same thing?
It's not a metallic sound, not too dissimilar from a hole in the back end of the exhaust in tone, but more of a vibration... I can't really explain it other than increasingly irritating and noticable now I've noticed I can notice it.

I am so glad I am not alone I thought I was going mad, that is exactly the problem I have had, the other thread "whistling 1.9 diesel" mentions the N75 valve, so it might be worth asking the dealer if this can be checked.
Have noticed sometimes that when I start & run the car in the morning the noise isn't always there, maybe the diesel rattle just masks it?

 

[JonoUK]

I am so glad I am not alone I thought I was going mad, that is exactly the problem I have had, the other thread "whistling 1.9 diesel" mentions the N75 valve, so it might be worth asking the dealer if this can be checked.
Have noticed sometimes that when I start & run the car in the morning the noise isn't always there, maybe the diesel rattle just masks it?

Nope I don't get it when it's cold either, ever. Only when it's been warmed up a bit, not necessarily at 90, but from say 70 onwards, but most noticable when it's properly warmed up.