Loud Ticking Noise/Loud Engine

**Taxiboy** · 01-08-2021,08:04 PM

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.

**Mittens247** · 02-08-2021,07:30 AM

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.

**Crasher** · 02-08-2021,12:07 PM

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"

**Crasher** · 02-08-2021,06:55 PM

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.

**Taxiboy** · 02-08-2021,07:39 PM

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

**Crasher** · 03-08-2021,02:21 PM

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

**Taxiboy** · 18-08-2021,10:42 PM

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..

**Mittens247** · 19-08-2021,09:58 AM

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!

**Taxiboy** · 19-08-2021,06:09 PM

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.

**Taxiboy** · 21-08-2021,04:18 PM

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.