Author Topic: Noisy PD (Read 5450 times)

zgembo · « **on:** March 08, 2008, 07:50:48 am »

Hello everyone.

I've had this...well, problem with my Bora (2000 AJM TDI) for a while now but never paid too much attention until recently. Namely, once the engine warms up, there is this strange grinding (kinda like ghhhh-ghhhhh-ghhhh or dry bearing) sound coming from around cambelt area. So in order to avoid potential capital damage to the engine, I finally bit the bullet and a few days ago had cambelt (and tensioner and diverter pulley and water pump...everything) changed hoping this would cure the problem. And all this well before schedule - previous cambelt change was done at 60 thousand KM, and the car has just turned 100k. Didn't help - the noise is even more pronounced and the poor thing sounds like bag of spanners now. Embarassing.

Did some researching and read that this noise could be caused by warped cambelt cover touching moving parts underneath it. I also recorded it (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4S6IvpP-Njs) so plz check it out and give your suggestions.

BTW this noise has no effect on car performance whatsoever. No smoke, no hesitation...it still pulls like crazy and apart from this noise works like a charm

Thanks in advance

rallydiesel · « **Reply #1 on:** March 08, 2008, 08:23:50 am »

Sounds like mine after I ditched the dual mass flywheel. Are you sure it's not coming from the tranny area? Does it go away when you depress the clutch pedal? Any possibility your timing is too advanced (did you recently get a ECU reprogram?). Do you have a VAGCOM to check injection timing?

zgembo · « **Reply #2 on:** March 09, 2008, 12:50:18 pm »

Nope, I don't think it's coming from tranny box - pressing the clutch pedal doesn't change a thing (I guess I'm one of the lucky few with Sachs DMF:). Apart from harder shifting when cold I really havent had any issues with it.
I haven't had any ECU tuning/reprograming, but there is possibility my dealer threw camshaft out of sync by a few degrees when replacing t-belt...engine does sound a bit odd, louder now. Or maybe new t-belt needs some time to seat in properly.
In any case I'll get a second opinion on this and try to source out someone w/ VAGCOM to get it checked properly.

Erm, one more thing - could this noise be caused by worn water pump? Namely, my dealer gave me the old parts (belt, tensioner, pulley, vibation shock absorber), but I didn't get the old water pump. And I was charged for it...maybe they 'forgot' to change it?

Quantum TD · « **Reply #3 on:** March 09, 2008, 01:08:19 pm »

If it's a PD, pull the valve cover and look at your cam followers. They're proabably chewed up. If you've run any oil other than the specified oil, chance are good (or bad in your case), that the camshaft and followers are toast.

If it's still running, I'd stop driving it ASAP before you do further damage to the engine by having one of the lifters pop out and then get mangled by the camshaft and crew up the lifter bores.

Tintin · « **Reply #4 on:** March 09, 2008, 03:51:38 pm »

AJM It's a TDI PD115 motor.

+1 for a bad camshaft, pull the valve cover ....... like Quantum TD say.

I heard a bad story about the PD115.......

zgembo · « **Reply #5 on:** March 10, 2008, 06:53:22 am »

Yup, it's AJM 115 HP...unfortunately. Early PD.

As for cam and cam followers (=tappets? - spent a lot of time on some UK-based forums

, I had them inspected by the dealer and seems one of them is on its way out, as well as one or two lobes on the camshaft - but as they said, it would take a qualified repairman with trained eye to notice this wear. And camshaft alone costs over 600 EUR...and I suppose acceleration in this case would be impaired. So far I've used only 505.01-spec oil.
As for valve cover - as far as I gather, there are 10 or so bolts and some prying (not to damage the seal). Do I have to undo the intake manifold for this? I'd love to see it all with my own eyes.
One more thing: this 'dry bearing' noise gets louder as I put my ears above the fuel filter / power steering fluid tank. Running it w/out serpentine belt doesn't cure this noise.

I'm really disappointed. I've spent a fortune on repairs (MAF, blown head gasket, window lifters, A/C front fans...you name it), babied it and this is what I get in return. My last VW, definitely.

zukgod1 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 10, 2008, 09:24:21 am »

Timing belt idler?

zgembo · « **Reply #7 on:** March 10, 2008, 10:16:54 am »

I don't know, it shouldn't be - it was replaced along with other components. And taking off the top belt cover for inspection is a real b**ch - EGR stands directly in its way. Maybe the damn belt is on too tight.

Oh, I'm tired of playing doctor House with this car...

rallydiesel · « **Reply #8 on:** March 10, 2008, 01:47:39 pm »

So what was the reason for not getting the cam follower replaced? As far as I know, they are not that expensive.

zgembo · « **Reply #9 on:** March 10, 2008, 02:53:18 pm »

Got price quotes today for CFs: around 100 EUR each. It's an 8 year old car and I'm selling it in 2-3 months. Just not worth it I suppose.
As I said earlier, this behemoth has already eaten enough cash off me...

rabbitman · « **Reply #10 on:** March 11, 2008, 11:53:36 am »

I'd say take it somewere other than a dealer and tell 'em it's already been gone over plenty and maybe they'll give you a good deal.

jtanguay · « **Reply #11 on:** March 12, 2008, 04:41:12 am »

Quote from: "zgembo"

Got price quotes today for CFs: around 100 EUR each. It's an 8 year old car and I'm selling it in 2-3 months. Just not worth it I suppose.
As I said earlier, this behemoth has already eaten enough cash off me...

i would almost try some snake oil to get rid of the noise before you sell it... moly slip or some kind of lubrication additive? just a though...