strange sound

[scrounger]

My Jetta started to make a strange sound the other day. When starting out, to up to about 15-20mph  it sounds like a cord from the block heater is slapping around. That is what I first thought but secured the cord and the sound continues. The car runs fine so far. I hate new noises.

Any ideas?

[vanbcguy]

Usual questions:

- Does the sound change with road speed?
- Does the sound change with engine speed?
- Does it go away with the clutch in?
- Does it go away when the brakes are applied?

[scrounger]

It tends to make the slapping sound once rolling up to about 15 mph then it fades, by 25 mph it is normal sounding. Not clutch related or brake related. As if something like a cord or rope is hanging or dragging on the ground and being flicked around. Maybe it occurs at about once or twice a second.

I know my symptoms are vague.

[vanbcguy]

Try swapping tires around between the front and the back, see if the noise changes.  You could have a broken belt in one of them.

[scrounger]

Thanks, I'll try that.  I had not thought about an internal cord in the tire.