184hp making rattling noise at idle

[Ash23]

Hi,

My mk3 Leon 184hp is making a rattling noise at idle, if I rev to 1000 the noise goes. Car starts fine, drives fine. You can only hear the noise within the car with windows closed.

I was messing with the timing belt cover and its a little loose. I did have timing belt changed 5000 miles ago (when I bought it). When placed within a certain position the noise somewhat goes.

Could it be the timing belt cover being loose ? does anyone have a picture of their engine maybe a side shot? Im not sure if its missing a clip or something.

Thank You!

 

[andysmith1983]

I also have this problem, exact same model..FR 184..Did you find the cause? Cheers

 

[\pAVe/]

I’ve noticed same problem on mine st fr 184. Any ideas?

 

[Jay5959]

I’ve noticed a rattle (more than just the Diesel engine rattle before anyone comments )on mine at idle too, I’ve had the timing belt replaced a few months ago so I’m guessing not a tensioner or belt related? Also had ac serviced, so I don’t think it’s that either. Doesn’t seem to affect how it drives, pick up is good and strong still.

 

[Ash23]

No this issue is still not fixed, I am just living with it. Would anyone else record their noise ?

I wanna see if the noises are the same

 

[SuperV8]

I had a rattle which was more apparent down by the nearside wheel arch - I was fearing dual mass flywheel - but then I thought about gearbox oil. My noise was only evident with the clutch lifted in neutral. When you depressed the clutch the noise disappeared.

With the clutch lifted and in neutral the gearbox input shaft if spinning. I found changing my gearbox oil helped reduce the gear backlash rattle.

 

[bigbadjay]

This is a characteristic of the 184. Many such cases on YouTube. Oil pump noise.

 

[SuperV8]

This is a characteristic of the 184. Many such cases on YouTube. Oil pump noise.

This is the oil pump/vacuum pump 'characteristic' noise.

 

[Jay5959]

This is the oil pump/vacuum pump 'characteristic' noise.

That’s the noise mate. Happy I know what it is now and it’s not an issue

 

[bigbadjay]

The very same! Almost makes me cringe when I hear it. And when you switch the engine off you get that asthmatic whoosh

 

[dmartinho]

I think I have that noise too (recorded inside car):

I hear it after driving at least 20 min. Mine is a Seat Leon ST TSI 1.0. @SuperV8 by 'characteristic' you mean normal?

Thanks!

 

[SuperV8]

I think I have that noise too (recorded inside car):

I hear it after driving at least 20 min. Mine is a Seat Leon ST TSI 1.0. @SuperV8 by 'characteristic' you mean normal?

Thanks!

This noise was relating to TDI's which have/need a vacuum pump.
your TSI does not have a vacuum pump.

By 'characteristic' I was referring to what VAG often say to try to imply there is no issue and that is how it's supposed to be or even designed! - with a strange noise or rattle or what ever... anyone with some common sense or critical thinking knows otherwise.

 

[dmartinho]

This noise was relating to TDI's which have/need a vacuum pump.
your TSI does not have a vacuum pump.

By 'characteristic' I was referring to what VAG often say to try to imply there is no issue and that is how it's supposed to be or even designed! - with a strange noise or rattle or what ever... anyone with some common sense or critical thinking knows otherwise.

I didn't know that about TSI. The sound I hear in my car is very similar to the video you shared...

 

[SuperV8]

Well every day's a school day...
It seems some newer TSI's do have a vacuum pump - the CHZD engine (don't know if that's yours) has a electric vacuum pump.
Petrol engines make their own vacuum from when the throttle plate it closed - Diesels don't generally have a throttle plate so can't make vacuum - hence the need to a vacuum pump.

Our TDI's vacuum pumps are mechanical driven of the crank hence the cyclic noise.

This electric vacuum pump obviously is independent to the crank, so I would imagine it will cycle on and off. Does this match up with your noise? With the engine idling try pumping the brake pedal to 'use up' the vacuum and try to activate the pump - to see it that is the noise you can hear?

 

[dmartinho]

Well every day's a school day...
It seems some newer TSI's do have a vacuum pump - the CHZD engine (don't know if that's yours) has a electric vacuum pump.
Petrol engines make their own vacuum from when the throttle plate it closed - Diesels don't generally have a throttle plate so can't make vacuum - hence the need to a vacuum pump.

Our TDI's vacuum pumps are mechanical driven of the crank hence the cyclic noise.

This electric vacuum pump obviously is independent to the crank, so I would imagine it will cycle on and off. Does this match up with your noise? With the engine idling try pumping the brake pedal to 'use up' the vacuum and try to activate the pump - to see it that is the noise you can hear?

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Thank you for your time!

My Seat is from 2019. I hear the noise after driving 20 min. When the car is cold I don’t hear anything. With car idling pressing the brake don’t do anything different. The sound is present even without any brake. I think the sounds disappears pressing the gas pedal.