2.5 TDI engine rattling noise then just cut out - not starting now

Hello people, After owning a 2.5tdi caravaelle auto for a year, I decided to buy another one for my growing taxi fleet.

So I bought a 2002 lwb caravelle manual, I noticed a rattling noise from the gearbox area which went away once the clutch pedal was pressed - I thought it would be the clutch bearing or flywheel, there was also a slight squeak from the left side of the engine which I thought was the alternator belt or something simple.

I decided to buy the vehicle thinkin I would need to replace the clutch and possibly a belt, I drove it home 45 miles along the motorway achieving 90mph without too much stress, no smoke problems.

The following day I went to start it and it sounded like a box of spanners, pressing the clutch did not help, I drove it a few hundred yards it felt low on power, I parked it up turned of the engine did the oil check etc, nothing obvious was loose or hanging off, I started it again - after 10 seconds it stopped it self ! Now the engine seems to turn over but no start.

ANY HELP / ADVICE IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.

Thanks :1zhelp:

i'd be looking in the timing belt area?


N

same happened to mine.. it was the timing belt snapped!
i have the same noise from the gearbox/clutch. some say its a gearbox bearing or clutch release(throw out) bearing.. can any one advise??

Mind had the same noise. Dropped it off at the garage this morning and just had a call back and been told it's the gearbox, clutch and DMF:mad:!!!

It was originally booked in due to suspect DMF. I trust the garage as it's a friend who has a vw specialist garage and won't charge any extra labour to fit gearbox.....now to source one!