Very noisy tappets on warm start - Passat 1.6 FSI

[Finsteigle]

My car is a Passat 1.6 Fsi - 2005 plate. BLF engine

The engine has developed a fault which whilst initially being merely embarrassing seems to be worsening now and I sense a large bill on the horizon unless I take some action.

The symptom is very loud tappet rattle which usually occurs when starting the car from warm. This is usually most likely to happen when restarting the car after a few hours at rest. It can occur after engine has been at rest for between 2 and 8 hours and is therefore slightly warm, but never seems to happen in the morning when the engine is truly cold.

One would think this indicated faulty tappets but I have been hesitant to replace these as I have so far found no diagnosis of a problem that sounds exactly like mine.

Somewhere else I saw talk of a timing chain tensioner issue. I can't see that being it though. It just sounds like the tappets have been completely drained of oil.

So far I have tried flushing the oil and making sure I was using genuine spec oil and filter. Massive cost but seems to have made no difference whatsoever.

The engine has done about 70K and this problem has been occurring on and off for about 20K.

I am guessing this cannot be a blocked oilway or completely wrecked tappets otherwise the tappets would be noisy all the time. Up to now I have been prepared to let this go as 'just one of them things'... but I sense the engine is getting louder when at revs.

Does anyone know the exact cause of this and correct solution?

Please help! Thank you.

[martin1810]

Noisy tappets usually means the oil is draining out. How long do they rattle for. Once the oil pressure has risen they should quiet down. If that takes too long, it might be worth having the oil pressure tested.

[DSG4ME]

You need to let someone who knows what they are doing look at it, i was going to suggest an engine flush incase it's got crap under the lifter, but as it's only when it's warm that would make me suspect a bearing somewhere, have a close listen near the timing auxbelt area, are you using water, water pump is another to check, turn the steering from side to side with it running, does the note change, if it does it's not tappets.

[reddb990]

Our Touran with same engine did same thing for 7 years. Checked at every service and told there was nothing to worry about as it was simply a characteristic of the engine.

[Finsteigle]

Thanks very much for all your responses.

In answer to your questions:

- The tappets rattle for about 3 seconds and then stop. That sounds a short time but believe me it is really loud. Makes me wince!

- I do want to cure this rather than endure it everytime I start up.

can you let me know if the above changes your answers

Thanks

[martin1810]

Three seconds sounds normal to me. I would live with it.

[reddb990]

Yes all normal.......... I have heard various Golf's and Audi's do the same thing. Noise did not occur on every start up and a quick rev soon clears it. 3 seconds sounds about right from memory too.

Otherwise a good economical engine that served us well for 60k miles with regular servicing.

[Pit Dweller]

Passat with a BLF 1.6 in?