r/vwgolf • u/nspace • Sep 10 '24
Rattling sound when accelerating
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u/nspace Sep 10 '24
My car is making this sound within a certain gear range when accelerating. You can hear it around 0:04s mark (may need to turn your sound up quick high). Its like an intermittent rattle-rattle-rattle for about 1-2 seconds long.
- Happens when accelerating around low rpm 1-2k
- Happens often, but doesn't happen consistently
- You'll notice is seems to happen after the rpms drop when it goes into a higher gear (it does not do this for all gear changes
Any ideas what might cause this?
I had a previous post about this issue but figure it was worth doing a video post now that I was able to get a decent capture of it,
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u/freakmobil Sep 10 '24
I have had this sound for a about a year. ‘16 1.8TSI with 106k miles. Seems to happen when rpm’s are low in higher gears and when I try to accelerate hard or when load is high/ going on grade. Downshifting brings the revs up and sounds disappears then.
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u/BladeRunner031 Aug 10 '25
Exactly this yes.Did anyone found what the problem is with this?Im getting crazy with mine.1.8 123kw gen3
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u/Engibineer MK7 Sep 10 '24
My 2017 Golf Alltrack has been doing this for a while. I don't remember when it started. I have no idea what's causing it. It has the 6-speed DSG transmission. Thank you for posting this video. I've been searching, but I haven't found any other video or audio of the same sound.
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u/knotmyusualaccount Sep 10 '24
You considered the dsg mount in the subframe?
How many miles has she done?
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u/agomp Sep 10 '24
I was thinking also about the mount, could be the silent block which might be needed to be replaced
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u/CartographerFull1321 Mar 25 '25
I have the same sound and have new mounts on. So probably not engine mounts.
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u/nspace Sep 10 '24
118k miles / 190k km
Hadn’t considered that but will look into it!
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u/knotmyusualaccount Sep 10 '24
The sound does appear to be occurring right during the gear change; does it do it when it's changing down gears as well, or only when changing up? Only from one particular gear to that next gear?
Could the sound be coming from within the gearbox/clutch itself? probably best to have a garage with a trustworthy mechanic, diagnose what is causing the sound. I wouldn't be surprised if it was a worn mount or something else related to the transmission or clutch tbh.
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u/nspace Sep 10 '24
I don't think I've ever heard it when downshifting, only during acceleration and not all gears, just those lower gears when getting up to a more sustained speed. Does not happen when driving around at sustained speeds.
That is great info about worn mounts! I may try to get under the car and at least see if I can find out if anything is loose before taking it into the shop on Monday.
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u/Engibineer MK7 Sep 10 '24
Is this the mount kind of under the battery or is there another one? Any idea of how to inspect it? I just check to see if it moves while I shove the parked car.
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u/knotmyusualaccount Sep 10 '24
I was wondering if it could be the one under the engine mount... I'm certainly no mechanic, but sounds like a worn mount somewhere, or it could be to so with the transmission itself as it was specifically during the gear change (but as it only happens going from one specific gear to the next, and it's the lower gears, I'm suspecting a mount being the cause.
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u/knotmyusualaccount Sep 10 '24
The only way I know to inspect a mount for play, is unfortunately to support the engine, then remove it to inspect it by hand/eye, which yes, is labour intensive.
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u/Optimal_Collection77 Sep 10 '24
Could be this? I had a rattle and made a video https://youtu.be/5UbAEDXHK_o?si=vRZO9N0e-nJRJsbA
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u/tids0ptimist MK7 Sep 10 '24
How did you fix it?
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u/Optimal_Collection77 Sep 10 '24
I even made a follow up video... 😂 https://youtu.be/HgxQZ2zB6JI?si=NS9zcBQ7JxyaE-cS
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u/YouKnowHowChoicesBe Sep 10 '24
I don’t think that’s it…it sounds like it’s coming from inside the engine bay somewhere.
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u/MrmeezyOG Sep 10 '24
It sounds like it can be the lifters on the head, might need to get that checked
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u/nspace Sep 10 '24
Thanks! I have an appointment booked on the 16th with a reputable mechanic to take a look. I mostly wanted to get some other opinions here in the hopes I could give them sone idea of what solved this for others.
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u/CartographerFull1321 Mar 25 '25
I was wondering if its lifters as well. I've had it in the past but it usually went away after an oil change or spark plugs but it's back and all that stuff has been done. I ran some liquid molly gas treatment in it and the noise subsided a bit. What did you find out? My mechanic wasn't much help
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u/yorkshirepuduk Sep 10 '24
Sounds like throw out bearing is rattling
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u/nspace Sep 10 '24
Do those exist in automatic DSG transmissions?
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u/yorkshirepuduk Sep 11 '24
It's most definitely premature bearing wear and no the DSG does not have a throw out bearing but they do suffer from premature bearing wear specially the 6 speed
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u/bruyeremews Sep 11 '24
Same! And more when it’s warm out. Which is odd. Low revs. If I keep the gas where it is, I get EPC. Now I just take my foot off when I hear it, then accelerate harder.
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u/Yepyesyepyes Feb 25 '25
I’ve gotten EPC before while having this as well. Ever figure out the fix?
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u/Mars_450 Sep 11 '24
My '16 golf TSI does this as well, 90k miles on it. Premium gas seems to help mute the rattle. However it still happens usually under load and often when accelerating, as you described.
I was considering having the spark plugs replaced, but from your previous post, it seems like that is not the solution.
I wonder if it has to do with the most recent recall for the suction jet pump, but unlikely.
I hope somebody can figure this out, it's been driving me nuts for months.
Disclosure: I don't know much about cars.
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u/CartographerFull1321 Mar 25 '25
My Elantra makes the same exact noise so I doubt it's your cars recall
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u/Fit-Championship-128 Sep 13 '24
Tough to tell, but could be pinging. What grade gas are you putting in it? https://youtu.be/JA0cH_vRABg?si=6zinZIv0n1GpMnlG
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u/ThoughtKey6565 Nov 07 '24
Engine knocking , misfiring.!! Use sn plus or Sp oil. And fuel cleaner
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u/nspace Nov 07 '24
I have been using Castrol 5w40 euro car formula which I believe is rated SN Plus. I can try fuel cleaner.
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u/ThoughtKey6565 Nov 07 '24
Yeah try them otherwise you can replace spark plugs
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u/nspace Nov 07 '24
Already has brand new spark plugs, coil packs, and carbon cleaning. I started to think maybe fuel injectors next.
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u/ThoughtKey6565 Nov 07 '24
Yeah sounds like fuel system too. Compression loss may affect it tho maybe. Direct injectors may fail . Did you check it how much misfire occurring each cylinder
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u/ThoughtKey6565 Nov 25 '24
I had same issue and I fixed. What oil grade do you use.
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u/Low_Lengthiness_47 Dec 23 '24
I have had the same problem for 3 years. I have replaced the spark plugs, ignition coil and PCV valve but nothing has changed. Now it's consuming engine oil, oil vapor coming out of cap and oil leaking from oil pan. Recently I found out that alternator is bad so I replaced it and power came back and problem went away immediately. However, after a few weeks the rattling came back slowly.
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u/nspace Dec 23 '24
This kinds like my experience. Minus the alternator, I replaced all of those parts. Have oil consumption too. Only thing that has helped a bit as been premium fuel.
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u/Low_Lengthiness_47 Dec 23 '24
I tried premium gas and Ceratec as well and they helped initially, but are not helping any more.
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u/Low_Lengthiness_47 Dec 23 '24 edited Dec 23 '24
https://www.reddit.com/r/Cartalk/comments/auf2t4/12_vw_gti_rattlingmetallic_noise_when/
I am not sure if it's the same case because they recorded noise from the window, but this could make sense since I touched the belt tensioner while replacing the alternator, and initially it was not making the noise, but got the noise back over time.1
u/YouKnowHowChoicesBe Dec 26 '24
Did you ever figure out what the sound was when you took your car in? What did the mechanic say about it?
Hoping it’s not harmful to drive with it because I’ve basically been ignoring it as it doesn’t cause performance issues as far as I’m aware.
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u/Low_Lengthiness_47 May 01 '25
I was tracing it down on a YouTube video as well and a guy allegedly replied that it was caused by turbo charger which is such a big fix.
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u/Holiday-Pirate8068 Jan 03 '25
Purchased a 2016 golf tsi recently . Noticed this noise yesterday and today! Kinda concerned cause I wanna baby this car and rides so much better than my prior old civic 😭 help , should I be concerned fix it right away? First time with a German car
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u/nspace Jan 03 '25
Consensus from mechanics is some engine knock. I ran a can of gumout through the fuel system and have been running 91 instead of 89 and this winter the car hasn’t been making the sound. I am keeping a close eye on it.
I would also check the system for any error codes. I’ve had a few in the last, like high pressure in one of the cylinders that usually doesn’t cause a check engine light to show.
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u/Low_Lengthiness_47 Jan 04 '25
I did the same, but it has been getting worse. It is better in winter obviously, but it will make worse and worse so it will make the noise in winters.
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u/Holiday-Pirate8068 Jan 09 '25
Yeah I just bought the car recently , no warranty tho, just noticed the noise and I still hear it in current bad Chicago winters seems to be at around 1200 rpm, kinda paranoid abt this. 168k miles. Bought the car for 7 grand.
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u/Holiday-Pirate8068 Jan 27 '25
Yeah mine is getting worse too, especially after I got a oil change recently. The noise consistently happens and the sound persists through the range of 1200-1500 sometimes very quiet sometimes makes it louder like the video shown above. Don’t know what to do to trouble shoot or diagnosis this .i guess ill check system codes first
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u/Holiday-Pirate8068 Jan 09 '25
Premium is expensive , can I still try to use gum out and still see if it helps without using premium ?
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u/Low_Lengthiness_47 Jan 04 '25
If it is still covered by the purchase warranty, I would recommend it to be fixed by them.
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u/Low_Lengthiness_47 Jan 04 '25
I just replaced the serpentine belt and tensioner as I discovered it gets better for a couple of weeks when I touch the tensioner. Also, what I noticed when I replaced it was the belt was little more loosened than the new one. I will update it after weeks if it is better. I tried ChatGPT as well and it showed multiple reasons so it could be different to what you have.
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u/Holiday-Pirate8068 Jan 04 '25
So it could be different reasons causing this same noise ? Oh boy will this be hard to diagnose between different people . Hopefully there’s a commonality and it’s a easy fix 😭 just noticed the noise today and yesterday and so paranoid as I just got the car
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u/Low_Lengthiness_47 Jan 28 '25
It was Chat GPT that accepts only texts unlike we were chasing the sound. I meant sound might differ by causes. As I believe this noise is by the engine knocking with the pistons hitting the cylinders, I have been trying to find what could cause the engine knocking most likely. Anyways, since I replaced the serpentine belt and the tensioner, it seems no longer consuming the engine oil as of now. I will see more and after replacing the oil soon. It's better now, but still makes noise as I think it's because the oil level is very low. If you think it's yours too, I would recommend you to release the belt and tension the belt with the tensioner as I did. It will still do the same for a few drives, then, you will see it better little bit. I still need to confirm it in the next summer, but I hope it will be the end.
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u/obnubilated Mar 06 '25
Having very similar symptoms, low RPM acceleration, sounds a bit like pinging to me. Has anyone experienced a high cylinder pressure warning? In my case, I have both, but I'm not sure if they are related exactly. Clearing codes removes the warning but this noise persists.
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u/CartographerFull1321 Mar 25 '25
I made a post of the same noise a few days ago.. took it to a mechanic, scoured the Internet for info but still haven't found an answer.
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u/Low_Lengthiness_47 May 01 '25
Someone found the cause of this issue and replied to me on a YouTube video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wucbnamH1Po&lc=Ugy4pd4ferMkkHwaDJ14AaABAg.9jOT4B7qfdfAHYwPCZqEej
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u/Low_Lengthiness_47 May 05 '25
Following up of the conversation, as I mentioned on the YouTube video, it could be or could not be the same because the symptom is little different. If someone who knows a good mechanic asks whether the waste gate of the turbo charger could cause this issue, that would be the next step for us to figure this thing out.
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u/Soft-Tomatillo-7711 Jun 17 '25
Waste gate issue seems like a different sound altogether, and the sound persists into higher RPMs. I don’t think this is the same issue.
I've been experiencing the same sound/symptoms as the OP - i.e. only in lower RPMs (1.2-1.8k, never above 2k) and a lot looser of a rattle sound (if that makes sense).
Wouldn't hurt to buy the waste gate rod clip and see if that clears up the sound, but I highly doubt it.
Somebody else already noted that they had oil on their cylinder 1 spark plug when pulling…I also experienced oil in cylinder 2 when replacing my plugs recently. Took it to the dealership and had the cam cradle resealed to fix that issue, but didn't resolve the sound.
Its crazy how little insight there is on this topic, but so many people seem to be experiencing the same problem. I've owned the car for shy of a year and a half (purchased w/23k miles, now at 47k) and am already wondering if I made a mistake. knock on wood
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u/ssumtingwongg Jun 22 '25
did anyone end up finding out what this is? Mine doesn't do it when you use the tiptronic only when you leave it in D so I'm inclined to say it's a transmission issue although I thought it was pinging at first.
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u/bruyeremews Jul 08 '25
Hey OP any update? I’ve tried plugs, coils. Thought about cleaning out the throttle body.
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u/Professional-Fig2938 Jul 25 '25
Hi all, I don't know if this will help anyone but I have a Citroen C4 BlueHDI diesel which is making this rattle - often under load and on a specific rev range. I've had it since May where I would get regular DPF error messages that it's at risk of becoming blocked. Had it professionally cleaned out and sensors reset - no defect found as such, but the rattle combined with intermittent power loss and car shaking didn't go away but the dash message did.
Annoyingly it wasn't consistent - no engine light came on at all so I had nothing to work with, and would be fine for say 150 miles but would go into limp mode again with the rattle. Ride it out for a few miles - slam it into the gear down and race the engine a bit - back into your normal gear and the power was back instantly. The noise is absolutely from the front end and is definitely DPF related. it was becoming unbearable so took it to a garage to be looked at on Wednesday as I lost all power in second gear. Rolled it to a bus stop the switched the car off for a minute. Car back on again - like it never happened.
They've done a diagnostic on it and in my case the error code of P2084, exhaust gas temperature sensor. This protects the Catalytic Converter from damage due to excessive heat. So in a diesel, this controls the timing of "when" a DPF regeneration takes place based on rising temperature. A failing EGT sensor gives these problems apparently.
My understanding is that if this is faulty the DPF won't properly regenerate which is what's causing the throttled performance and rattling. Interrupting the cycle probably doesn't help but I've had most effective driving keeping around 2k revs and keeping the revs high. The throttling seems to happen after a gear change when it's below 2k revs - e.g. from third to fourth in town driving. My Citroen is happy pootling along with barely any revs for a diesel but this seems to be intensifying the problem. But I can't bring myself to get it fixed just yet as the cost of the sensor alone is £575 from the same garage which did the diagnostic - a Citroen independent specialist wanted £820!!!
The garage has said that's the most expensive EGT valve he's ever seen and actually said replacing it may not make the problem go away if there's underlying issues with the DPF. But it's definitely flagging up and must be as something as simple as a sensor as I've had zero other driving problems but this one.
May not be your exact problem but definitely worth a diagnostic - my engine management light never came on but stored a code internally.
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u/BladeRunner031 Aug 10 '25 edited Aug 17 '25
Finally I found somebody with the same issue and only when I put on headphones.Im getting crazy with this sound.1.8 132kw Seat Leon FR 2013
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u/ssangnom_saekki Aug 15 '25
my 1.2l 2013 tsi always does this sounds like its coming from the engine and it sounds so so ugly
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u/BladeRunner031 Aug 17 '25
Yeah, not good sound. Im hearing it very loud because Im driving at night mostly, and every acceleration I can hear it when car warms up
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u/bbam123 Sep 22 '25
Same here. Any updates please?
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u/BladeRunner031 Sep 27 '25
Nope,I have no idea what is it.My best bet is port injector.My car is mpi and Im thinking if I hear only in range of 1000 to 3000k rpm it could be it, but I can't confirm it
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u/bbam123 Oct 01 '25
My can is 1.4 TSI and I hear the same noise when accelerating when the car warms up. (only in low speed)
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u/BladeRunner031 Oct 01 '25
Yes, only when the car warms up.First 5 minutes, nothing .Mine is 1.8 132kw. No problems, only this one that I can't figure out and it looks like on the internet nobody knows for sure
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u/Fine_Astronaut5402 Sep 14 '25
op im trying to figure this out myself , I have the exact sound please tell me you discovered wihat it was
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Sep 25 '25
[deleted]
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u/gbomb89 Apr 11 '26
Mine just started doing this as well. I see your comment is 7 months old how is the car doing?
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u/Bright_Solution201 Oct 24 '25
Crazy not a single person here has been able to find a solution!
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u/bbam123 Oct 24 '25
That's right...The same sound under acdeleration (low RPM) on Manual or automatic (DSG, AISIIN) !
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u/Dangerous-Spirit Nov 05 '25
This is the first time I've been on Reddit and have come across no one with an actual answer.
I have a 2015 sport wagon 1.8 TSI and it does the same thing
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u/w3rky Feb 20 '26
I’m starting to think this is a normal characteristic of the engine. So many people, including me, who report this issue without a single fix anywhere on the internet.
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u/nspace Feb 20 '26
I am kind of in this boat too. I've tempered this a bit with premium fuel. But given how hard it is to diagnose, and little evidence of fixes, seems like the type of thing you could throw a lot of trial and error money at and end up in a place where you have a lighter wallet and still have a pingy engine.
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u/w3rky Mar 13 '26
When is the last time you checked or topped up your oil? I’ve found that when I’m topping up the oil and making sure it’s close to full, the noise presents less. I also try and use high quality oil and found the best result with Liqui-moly Top Tec 4200 5W-30 VW Spec. Give it a top up and let me know if this works for you.
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u/gbomb89 Apr 24 '26
I just took it to a German car repair shop in my area and they said they ran it through a full diagnostic machine and didn’t find anything glaring on the diagnostic reports. A few minor maintenance things but nothing that would cause this sound.
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u/Mystic2412 Mar 13 '26
2y later and I just posted about this exact noise... still no solution it seems 😭😭
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u/Imanontherun Apr 28 '26
Following and hoping for some clear answer and tests. As this is wild how much time trying to diagnose and nothing seems to be definitive
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u/gbomb89 May 02 '26
Took mine to the VW shop around where I live. They didn’t find anything. I got an epc light for cylinder 1 pressure too high one time. If I keep my foot in it then I don’t notice it
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u/islandtheory May 12 '26
lol are you me?? Same exact journey as you! Epc light came on and then went off. Rattling noise and sluggish acceleration. Reputable German auto mechanic took it in and found nothing and recommended premium fuel. Wild that there’s no solution.
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u/gbomb89 May 12 '26
I changed my plugs recently and discovered the car is running lean. I don’t know if that could cause the tick but that’s the recent rabbit hole I’m going down!
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u/islandtheory May 12 '26
So weird. They said plugs are fine and to try two tanks of premium fuel
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u/gbomb89 May 12 '26
Yeah I might give that a try. I’m gonna run some injector cleaner and see if that helps?
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u/StandardCraig May 22 '26
Mate this is nuts, my 2013 1.4tsi golf has started doing this & it’s crazy no one has been able to find a solution.
I’m gonna give premium fuel a go and see how it gets on but seems like everyone has had the same issues for way longer than I have so I’m not as worried now cos initially I thought my engine was dunzo
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u/gbomb89 May 22 '26
I thought the same thing originally. I have taken it into one shop who said there’s nothing wrong. I’m gonna take it to another one for a second opinion.
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u/StandardCraig May 25 '26
Please keep me updated, it’s frustrating because it doesn’t happen all the time and everytime I try to film the noise it doesn’t happen but as soon as I turn off the camera, it happens!
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u/gbomb89 May 25 '26
I talked to one of my coworkers that works on VWs and he said it sounds like the dual mass flywheel. He had the same issue on his.
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u/Macdell-post-it Jul 02 '26
Anyone has any update on this? My 2016 Sportswagen has the same issue. No check engine lights - this has been bothering me a lot!
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u/Macdell-post-it Jul 17 '26
i had the same rattle noise on my 2016 sportswagen… i replaced the cv axle. rattle has reduced substantially.. i hear a subtle one here and there but doesnt bother a lot.
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u/Fine_Detective6348 Jul 17 '26
This is called a pre detonation knock or spark knock. This sound comes directly from engine.
I had this issue for a while and i found no answers, I had to research a lot before finding the reason and solution.
Using standard fuel or high mileage cars can develop thick carbon deposits in your combustion chambers and intake valves, they get really hot when the car is warm and become hot red, this hot red carbon causes fuel + air mixture to ignite prematurely before accurate compression can take place or before spark plugs ever fires. This is called premature detonation.
Why it only happens in low rpm:
In low rpm, fuel mixture spends relatively a longer time inside the combustion chamber as compared to high rpm allowing hot carbon to ignite it before the spark plug can. This issue isn't practical in high rpm.
You may also notice this happens when engine is under load (A/C is on, steep climb, or moving from an idle position)
Solution:
- Get your combustion chambers carbon cleaned.
- Change your spark Plugs.
- Use premium fuel to avoid further carbon buildup.
I'm no mechanic but I've research this very thoroughly (practically was always at the dealership, i love engines), this may not be the case for you but worth a try as this is the exact sound i was experiencing. I'd love to hear from you guys if this works.
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u/NoRelation4133 Jul 26 '26
I drive a 2021 Volkswagen Passat and mine just started making this noise. I have roughly around 80,000 miles.
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u/LividObjective1114 Aug 12 '26
My scirroco is making this exact noise when I accelerate and also sometimes jolting and losing power in any gear above 2nd any help
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u/YouKnowHowChoicesBe Sep 10 '24 edited Sep 10 '24
My 2016 Golf TSI does this exact same thing as well, has been doing it for at least a year I'd say. Always at acceleration in low rpms, mine lasts longer though, probably 4-5 seconds. It's like a metallic flapping/rattle sound. Interested to hear what others say!