2.5 tdi AKE engine noise

[brickit]

I have a 2003 allroad, i have owned it since 125,000 miles now on 187,000 miles. The problem i have is since i bought it 18 months ago, the engine is noisy, i strongly suspect lifters are worn, its sounds like an old type diesel engine.

If i rev the engine cold the noise gets a lot worse over 3000rpm, if the engine has run for a while it does not do it. Randomly the noise goes away for a while then comes back.

The engine itself has never failed to start, has no smoke, uses no oil or water between services, it has hesitation on acceleration, but this seem to be a common problem with this engine.

As i want to sell this, it would be better to get this sorted if i can, would prefer not to spend buckets of money.

Thanks peebs.

[verscheure]

I have a 2003 allroad, i have owned it since 125,000 miles now on 187,000 miles. The problem i have is since i bought it 18 months ago, the engine is noisy, i strongly suspect lifters are worn, its sounds like an old type diesel engine.

If i rev the engine cold the noise gets a lot worse over 3000rpm, if the engine has run for a while it does not do it. Randomly the noise goes away for a while then comes back.

The engine itself has never failed to start, has no smoke, uses no oil or water between services, it has hesitation on acceleration, but this seem to be a common problem with this engine.

As i want to sell this, it would be better to get this sorted if i can, would prefer not to spend buckets of money.

Thanks peebs.

I own the same car with the same engine a 2.5 tdi. This engine is one of the most reliable engines ever built. It is known however to make al lot of noise. Look at your hood and at teh space between engine room and carinside you will see noiseisolation panels everywhere for that reason. If the car is warm (at least 40 minutes driving!) oped the hood, take of plastic cover that sits on top of engine for looks, take large srewdriver, place it with its piont on one of the valva covers while engine is running. Hold the other end to your ear and concentrate. If you hear a montone noice which I suspect the engine is perfect. Only if you hear a clear non regular metalic noice inside the valve covers you have a valve problem. I know many alroades that have run 3000000 km with ease.
kind regards

[pabb01]

Hello bricket i see your on the list for having vagcom,just wondered where your based and if your willing to help out?Thanks

[adamss24]

Cam failure is common on early v6 with cast cams IF longlife servicing and low revs are used. The cams/rockers and lifter wear if crap oils are used and replacing them for forged items is the solution.

I have rebuilt my w reg allroad (and many other v6 tdi ) following dropping a valve due to worn cams, the rockers get dis lodged and ratle about till the cam lobes push them onto the valve which breaks the stem (by the cotter end) and it drops smashing the piston/head and often the injector on that piston !

I used Kolbenshmidt forged cams and INA forged/DLC coated lifters and rockers, no issues to report after 80k of hard life, mainly towing 2-3 tonnes at a time !

As pointed above, it's a reliable engine if looked after, not as reliable as the old inline 5 cyl AEL engine but much more powerfull and torquer in stock trim...

Check pump timing and look for needle lift injector faults, they will make the engine sound coarse...