Engine problem 1.9 PD Tdi

**wid77** · 12-01-2014,02:50 PM

My car has developed an engine problem today. It started after an, unusual for me, spirited sprint out of a junction. Seems like my boy racer behavior has caught me out. The engine now sounds uneven and there is a regular tap, tap noise. It's got noisier in the last 10 miles or so since it first started and now sounds very much like a tractor. I'm going to get it booked into a garage tomorrow as I wouldn't know where to start but can anyone hazard a guess to what it might be?

It doesn't make any difference whether the clutch is in or out, the engine still revs freely and drives ok. It does seem to be getting noisier by the minute though. With only a limited mechanical knowledge I wondered if it could be the timing belt slipped due to me putting the engine under load or a sensor of some description?

I know if it's difficult to diagnose like this but would appreciate any pointers. I've already braced myself for the worst!

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**micheal balbrig** · 12-01-2014,07:16 PM

If there is a timing problem,it would be best to avoid driving, until your garage checks it out. ( This would be to try avoiding bigger damage / expense )
Hope it turns out to be a smaller problem.

**wid77** · 12-01-2014,07:28 PM

Thanks for the reply. Yes I thought the same. I'm taking it to a garage tomorrow morning about a mile away so fingers crossed it will be ok.

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**jbh325i** · 13-01-2014,09:54 AM

hows the oil level and condition of the oil? has the correct oil been used for the PD engine?
it could be the hydraulic tappets that are making the noise. these engines don't like running on normal diesel engine oil.

**wid77** · 13-01-2014,10:33 AM

The oil level is spot on and I've only ever used the correct PD oil, changed every 7.5k. I dropped the car at the garage today and he had a quick listen and said he thinks my engine's gone. I must admit it sounds a bit like someone has a hammer inside there. I think it's a bit more than tappets unfortunately. I should be getting the dreaded phone call later today.

The car's been well looked after but has done 202k and after all is 13 years old and only worth about a grand. Even if I get a used engine for £300 I think the labour cost will make it uneconomical. Unfortunately I'm not experienced enough or have the facilities to attempt this myself. Perhaps I'm jumping the gun and they'll tell me it's not terminal. We'll see.

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**adamss24** · 13-01-2014,10:54 AM

The general consensus is when you hear metallic noises from the engine you stop driving it altogether and get it recovered to the nearest garage !

**wid77** · 13-01-2014,10:55 AM

Yes I agree. That's pretty much what I've done.

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**jbh325i** · 13-01-2014,12:42 PM

this is another reminder why I prefer the old VE engine..
My old silver avant is on 250k and still pulls well and gets a fair bit of spirited driving on a regular basis.
my old 110 sport passat was on 300k and got driven hard on a daily basis but was looked after and never missed a beat.
It went on to do another 200k outside my ownership and is still going strong

**wid77** · 13-01-2014,01:05 PM

The garage have just confirmed it needs a new engine. Even using a secondhand engine off eBay (a gamble I know) with labour I'm looking at over £1k. Bit hard to justify spending that. Shame as the cars been very good over the 7 years I've had it and I'm pretty fond of it. You can't get sentimental about these things though can you. Looks like it will have to go for spares or repair.

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