Loud Ticking Noise/Loud Engine

Hi. I’m looking to see if anybody knows what my problem could be or have came across the same issue.

Bought a 2018 Passat 2.0TDI 150 DSG number of months back. I travelled long distance to buy the car and when I started it and first drove it was rather noisy but I put that down to perhaps cold engine. Once purchased the car was on motorway coming home car drove well. I use the car for work (Taxi) so once I started doing so I noticed once the engine heats up there is a loud ticking noise (at idle) as if it comes from the timing belt area and is particularly loud when going through the likes McDonalds drive through where the wall reflects the sound. When cold it’s nowhere as bad but I do have the cricket sound which is more common when cold only. Also at times I feel there’s a slight sluggishness at times like it’s not so responsive.. The car seems far smoother, quieter and faster when it does its DPF regen and even the ticking noise sounds quieter at idle too. No fault codes or anything. Car is still under warranty but I get the feeling I will be told the car is fine. Have came from the B7 2.0 140 with very high mileage and you would think that was the newer sounding car much better sounding. Not impressed at all with this new car.

Sounds very similar to mine. If in doubt get it checked out. Sadly, it's not the last word in refinement and does sound still sound like a tractor when listening to the engine from outside the car.

Certain versions of these engines have common issues with the cam drive system, especially those with VVT. I can tell you if yours is one of the afflicted [sic] if you PM me the reg. A fellow mechanic once described it to me as sounding like a "skeleton masturbating ;) in a biscuit tin"

It doesn’t have the VVT system and it has the post 16-04-18 (yours was built 18-10-2018) camshaft module so it SHOULD not have that issue that I have seen with a LOT of VAG taxi vehicle’s.

Thanks for your help. It could well be scratch the head issue and nothing is found. But more I drive the car the more it frustrates me. You can floor it on one occasion car is rapid, smooth and what I would say a normal noise. Then floor it on another occasion it feels sluggish and has the tractor noise symptoms aswell as a horrible drone noise in background. Found this clip of a Skoda Superb which is the same noise as my own car.

Superb III engine noise - 2.0 TDI 110 kw - YouTube

You will have to either let it develop or have a VAG group experienced ear listen to it.

Wee update on this noisy car of mine.

Got a full service done last week and the following day I noticed the car was much more responsive, smoother and quieter. At idle the loud ticking noise has gone. I wonder if replacing the fuel filter (and air filter) had anything to do with it as I don’t think this has been changed ever and car nearly hitting 40k miles. According to records it’s had 2 oil services when it should have had major service done on its second. Will keep listening for any noise returning fingers crossed it doesn’t..

I can relate to the above. In June, I changed the oil and replaced air, oil, pollen and fuel filter on ours and since it has run quieter. I used VW quantum oil and thought it was this that made the difference. Still noisier than a lot of modern diesels though!

Defo a lot quieter and more like my older Euro 5 engine. But outside I would say the Euro 5 2.0tdi was a tad quieter.. Been told Euro 5 much better engine. Plenty of guys in the Taxi Trade with both 1.6 and 2.0 Euro 5s have gone over the 300k miles mark with there cars. Not sure the Euro 6 engines will get that. Certainly don’t know anybody yet with major high mileage on Euro 6 models. Will wait and see.

Shouldn’t have said anything. The noise has suddenly returned but more of a concern is a chattering noise has now occurred. Think this is DMF noise. Car was sluggish and noisy for a considerable bit this morning (it’s like lack of turbo spool) . When I sat with engine off then turned back on the car would be fast and quiet. Thought I had seen the back of these problems.

I would recommend checking the car for fault codes. I am assuming you are out of warranty. Did you buy the car from a dealer or at auction/privately? If there is a serious fault and you bought the car from a dealer, less than 6 months ago, then you may well be covered by the 2015 sale of goods act.

The car is still under warranty so will be booking it in. Had a good listen today. The chattering noise which you do have to listen for appears to be coming more from the Passenger side of car which makes me think it’s the DMF. I do recall though many months back after I bought the car there was loud chattering noise when I started it one morning. I took a video and the noise disappeared when I selected Drive. Ever since that one morning the noise did not reappear instead once engine warmed up it was always the loud ticking noise which was there all the time. Got a number of videos of the noises and also the new noise I am getting.

If it is gearbox end it could also be the cam to cam gears, especially VVT models but yours isn't

I certainly would be inclined to first & foremost start checking alternator pulley & auxiliary belt tensioner a very common fault on the vw & skoda vehicles

Still trying to get car booked into dealer which appears to be a drama at the moment.. Today I noticed the chattering today got noiser when I switched air con on and noise decreased when switched off but still there. Also when the steering was turned either way when stationary or at slow speed the chattering noise gets louder again so could be the tensioner.

Now that points to Mickyes idea of the accessory drive being the problem, noises can fool even an expert ear due to the Doppler affect where sounds can change source just by turning your head.

Checked my oil this morning and it looked rather low to me and not much above minimum. Not even 4 weeks since the car was in the dealer getting serviced and not even done 2000 miles either. Surely this is excessive oil consumption this cannot be normal surely?? When I bought the car not long after I did have to top up oil but put it down to the engine not being old and it will consume a bit more oil. But to be low in such short period of time there must be a problem. Won’t be topping it up as it’s going into the dealer this week (finally) to get a technician to diagnose the problems I am having and want them to see the low oil level. Car sounds awful and is getting worse to drive.

Good job it's still in warranty then! Not good that it's either using or leaking oil. It certainly explains why it's noisier if the oil level is low.

I once had a car serviced at a main dealer and the technician failed to tighten the sump plug. I woke up the following morning and there was 4 litres of oil all over our drive! These days any leaks are hidden by the undertrays!

Good luck and hope you get it sorted!

Well had my car in the dealers the other day there. Well they came across the noise. The timing belt tensioner was leaking grease from the bearing. Bearing noisy and difficult to turn. The timing belt was also worn. So new belt and tensioner done under warranty. The low oil they seen no leaks and topped up. I wonder if they had topped it up properly with the service or not. Anyway car smooth, responsive and refined now quite a difference.

Good result and a potential bullet dodged there!

Same symptoms returned only after a few days. My mates a mechanic thinks the timing is out since it is intermittently sluggish feel to it. Yet when he came out with me car drove brand new. Typical!!! He said the waterpump should have been replaced since they changed the timing belt too. Only got tensioner and belt changed under warranty.

Any update on this? You seem to be having no end of grief with your car!

Well car went in the other week there and it was found to be a jammed alternator with pulley defective. New Alternator was ordered and fitted. Car drove great after that and engine was quiet night and day to how it had been. Nearly 2 weeks since that work was done and the exact same noise and symptoms have returned. My steering felt a bit funny the other day (not as responsive) then the rattling and poor performance all back. So complaint going into the VW and dealer now see what comes of it. Might come to the stage where I trade in and get something else and avoid VW or Skoda.

Was this done at the main dealer? The steering has only a small affect on the poly V belt system unlike earlier hydraulic systems. Maybe you should put down your sword until the people that fitted the parts have taken a look, it is their legal obligation and right, if a part they fitted has failed it is their responsibility to put it right, but not their fault.

I get what your saying. Faulty part could be to blame. Yes main dealer fitted this under warranty. But it’s the same symptoms as before the rattling occurs when AC is on and when steering is turned at low speeds or at times just when idling normally.

That is highly symptomatic of a failed alternator one way clutch, a part which can be replaced on its own either genuine or aftermarket but I have never seen a new one fail.

Will have to email service manager at the dealer. This has to be looked at ASAP not in a few weeks time. With me been a Taxi the mileage climbs a lot each day and you don’t know what more damage it can do too. I had noticed too the annoying ticking noise from Timing Belt is more audible over past few weeks but that did not affect car performance. However another Taxi driver has a 66 plate 2.0TDI 190 and his is quieter.

Crasher if i give you my reg could tou tell me if mines affected and what's needed to repair its noisy as out sounds like a bomber taxi and I have a rattle on cold start up sounds like timing chain rattle but obviously no chain on this engine crlb 2.0 tdi