Passat screech / squeal from cold start

Hi there - hoping to get some help in diagnosing a problem with my 2000 115bhp TDI Passat estate.

The cars just done 100k and has developed a loud screech for the first 20-30 seconds after a cold start. The noise disappears when the clutch is depressed, but then comes back when the clutch is released. It lasts for only 20-30 seconds and then it stops abruptly and the engine/gearbox/clutch runs normally.

There's no vibration or other problems when its screeching and the clutch appears to bite normally. The problem only happens when I move off in the morning or at the end of the day when the car has been parked for good 8-10 hours. If the engine isn#t cold, then the screech doesn't happen. The car runs normally otherwise.

Have phoned my local VW/Audi specialist whose initial thoughts were focussed on the dual mass flywheel. But a replacement sounds expensive, so I'm hoping that there may be another explanation. Will have to leave the car overnight for them to hear the noise in the morning, but thought that I'd see if anyone has had a similar problem.

Thanks in advance for any help or advice.

Brian

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Originally Posted by bfmonaghan

Hi there - hoping to get some help in diagnosing a problem with my 2000 115bhp TDI Passat estate.

The cars just done 100k and has developed a loud screech for the first 20-30 seconds after a cold start. The noise disappears when the clutch is depressed, but then comes back when the clutch is released. It lasts for only 20-30 seconds and then it stops abruptly and the engine/gearbox/clutch runs normally.

There's no vibration or other problems when its screeching and the clutch appears to bite normally. The problem only happens when I move off in the morning or at the end of the day when the car has been parked for good 8-10 hours. If the engine isn#t cold, then the screech doesn't happen. The car runs normally otherwise.

Have phoned my local VW/Audi specialist whose initial thoughts were focussed on the dual mass flywheel. But a replacement sounds expensive, so I'm hoping that there may be another explanation. Will have to leave the car overnight for them to hear the noise in the morning, but thought that I'd see if anyone has had a similar problem.

Thanks in advance for any help or advice.

Brian

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Sounds like a belt problem, or the alternator one way clutch. The kind of noise you get when the belt is slipping somewhere until it gets up to speed.

Doubt it is the dual mass flywheel. As putting your foot on the clutch has an effect I would suspect the clutch release bearing. If that's the case I would ignore it and wait to see what happens. Depending on how soon the noise occurs it could be a dry bearing in the starter motor. The noise would then occur instantly after starting.

Thanks for the replies.

I'm not sure what kind of risk I might be facing if it's a belt problem. ie what could happen if the belt slips - presume it depends on what belt has the issue?

Don't think it's the starter, since there's no problems on starting when the car is in neutral and idling. The problem only starts when the car moves off and the clutch is out. Same concerns though on the clutch release bearing. Any idea of what might happen if I just ignore it?

Thanks

Brian