ticking noise when engine idling

[roguetone]

Hi,
my W reg 1.8T Passat estate was due for it's 130000 miles service
plus I'd noticed a ticking noise when engine idling so took her
in to VW.

VW said they suspect "oil pump pressure and blockage of oil ways in
the engine".
Also said something about tappets and that there was a VW bulletin
about this problem with my engine.
Basically too expensive to fix (14 hours labour plus parts!).

I think he said the worst case scenario is the engine just stops/blows up and is damaged.

Does all this sound likely and anybody have any ideas what else it could be ?
I had the timing belt done in the last 6 months at a different garage with a new "vibration damper".
Could noise be related to this ?

Thanks
R

[passat>sport]

I think he said the worst case scenario is the engine just stops/blows up and is damaged.

WOW, They really know how to pick there words!

Does sound like a lifter. As far as the (these engines are known to blow up) is concerned, is irrelevant really!

Did they even check the oil pressure?

[Crasher]

To start with have the sump removed and the oil pick up pipe cleaned out but this is still quite a job as the subframe has to be lowered.

[roguetone]

Thanks for the reply,

".. Does sound like a lifter..."

whats a lifter ?

you've got me worried now !

so you don't think it could be the cam belt ? I guess I could take
it back to the garage that fitted the belt and ask their opinion.

[passat>sport]

You could try an engine flush followed by a oil and filter change after. but the lifter/s may still need changing!

Before you attempt the sump removel.

I would think the oil pressure wants checking first.

[Crasher]

Clogging of the oil pick up on the 1.8T is a terrible problem, even the slightest suggestion of clogging MUST mean the removal of the sump or a total loss of engine and turbo may result. The lifters (hydraulic tappets) usually come back to life if this isn't left too long. If the dealer is concerned that there is a lack of oil pressure, please do not disregard this, I see this time and time again. It is how I bought my 2003 Octavia VRS, the previous owner disregarded the warnings and then could not afford £5K for a new engine and turbo to be fitted. Member a8 tech on here will fully back me up on this, PM him and ask his opinion. Must go now, the wife needs chocolate and coffee so I must obey!

[passat>sport]

you've got me worried now !

ME TOO.

Is your sump still on.....

[roguetone]

well they did an oil and filter change so i hope so

I'm no mechanic in case you hadn't guessed but I looked this up so I think when you say lifters you mean the hydraulic tappets?
These are the things that lift the valves right, driven by cam shaft ?

So what's oil pressure got to do with this (no warning light on dash by the way). And what is actually making the ticking noise, the tappets because they're not properly lubricated ?

[Eddie]

Are u sure its the lifters ticking and not the injectors,dirty injectors also tick at idle but the noise goes at about 1500 rpm lifters still tick until at least 2000rpm if i were you i would drain my fuel filter and pour a can of forte injector cleaner into it and go for a blast up the motorway if its still ticking go look at your sump pickup. Ed

[Crasher]

I mentioned lifters being hydraulic tappets in my post above. On older engines (and still some modern engines like the Jaguar V8), the follower (or tappet) clearance was adjusted manually. The clearance is necessary to take into account thermal expansion. Anyway, to reduce maintenance costs and improve refinement, tappets are now commonly pumped up with oil to maintain a zero clearance but without the problems associated with doing that with sold tappets. If the oil pressure drops, the tappet leaks down and a clearance develops and that is where the noise comes from.