Help me diagnose this noise...

[derekjl]

This "chirping" sound is coming from the area by the washer fluid tank and the coolant tank. It only happens when the car is cold and at idle. Sorry for having to download the file, didn't know any other hosting options.

http://www.mediafire.com/?ufb76mp7tv8geah

[GolfRS]

This "chirping" sound is coming from the area by the washer fluid tank and the coolant tank. It only happens when the car is cold and at idle. Sorry for having to download the file, didn't know any other hosting options.

http://www.mediafire.com/?ufb76mp7tv8geah

Yes pretty common issue...

It's your timing belt tensioner.

If you are close to the timing belt swap mileage (IMHO even if you aren't)
you need to change it along with the tensioner (they come as a timing kit).

Problem solved.

EDIT: Oh i would also change the water pump with an metallic one (common practice).

EDIT 2: Here you go...

EDIT 3:Here you go again...

EDIT 4 : In case you missed it...

EDIT 5:Sorry...just had to...

[derekjl]

Thank you. All of those clips sound exactly like mine. Any idea how long the belt and tensioner take to install?

[derekjl]

UPDATE:

So I had the timing belt tensioner replaced a few weeks ago and guess what...a few hundred miles later and the noise is back. Assuming the new pulley was fine when installed, what else could be causing it to make this noise, or to wear out so quickly? Could the belt have anything to do with it? Again, only chirping when the car has sat and is completely cold. I have my drivetrain warranty for a few more weeks, so I'm trying to get this taken care of ASAP.

[derekjl]

Bump. Can anyone help me out?

[GolfRS]

Bump. Can anyone help me out?

There is also another tensioner and belt driving the A/C and alternator.

It is also known to fail.

Have a look at that tensioner with the engine running.

If it is vibrating way more than it should, it could also be causing the noise...

Oh and another thing.Check the timing belt for CLEARANCE from the belt cover.

There have been reported cases the belt is contacting the cover making noise.

I would check the inside of the cover for contact marks (and the new belt too).

Best of luck.

[derekjl]

There is also another tensioner and belt driving the A/C and alternator.

It is also known to fail.

Have a look at that tensioner with the engine running.

If it is vibrating way more than it should, it could also be causing the noise...

Oh and another thing.Check the timing belt for CLEARANCE from the belt cover.

There have been reported cases the belt is contacting the cover making noise.

I would check the inside of the cover for contact marks (and the new belt too).

Best of luck.

Just FYI, the belt was never replaced. It is the same one that originally came on the car. The noise went away for about 500 miles after the new tensioner was installed. It's back and sounds exactly the same.

[GolfRS]

Just FYI, the belt was never replaced. It is the same one that originally came on the car. The noise went away for about 500 miles after the new tensioner was installed. It's back and sounds exactly the same.

Not really related i think but WHY would you go to the trouble of changing tensioner and
not replacing the timing belt ?? That is just foolish !!!

In any case, if (as it would seem) the tech only swapped tensioners and left the rest of the
rollers (and belt) like they were, there might still be an idle roller that is squeaking, and not
the tensioner per se.

You have to recheck everything IMO.

[ProjectRocco16V]

I have heard of timing belts getting a glaze on them and causing a noise. If you can loosen the top of the timing cover, i believe you can spray soapy water on the belt while it is running and see if that cancels out your noise

[derekjl]

So here is the sound as of last night. It's going to the dealership and I'm going to tell them to let it sit so they can hear the noise themselves.

[GolfRS]

Man...come on...

They HAVE to do a proper timing belt service and that means using this kit....ALL OF IT (and maybe the coolant pump while you are at it).

http://www.ecstuning.com/Volkswagen-...ming/ES251182/

Changing just the tensioner is like ripping you off...

Seriously.....

[derekjl]

Man...come on...

They HAVE to do a proper timing belt service and that means using this kit....ALL OF IT (and maybe the coolant pump while you are at it).

http://www.ecstuning.com/Volkswagen-...ming/ES251182/

Changing just the tensioner is like ripping you off...

Seriously.....

Well I never paid for anything since it was (and still is) under the drivetrain warranty. I just dropped it off and explained what you are telling me. I told them to keep the car for even a few days if need be, I DON'T want to come back for this a third time. I do not need an engine rebuild due to a misdiagnosis or rushing to fix something that isn't the problem.

[GolfRS]

Well I never paid for anything since it was (and still is) under the drivetrain warranty. I just dropped it off and explained what you are telling me. I told them to keep the car for even a few days if need be, I DON'T want to come back for this a third time. I do not need an engine rebuild due to a misdiagnosis or rushing to fix something that isn't the problem.

Engine services are part of the normal timed maintenance of the engine and
cannot "harm" the engine if done properly by qualified personnel...

If you feel a FACTORY guided procedure can be harmful to your car, you most probably are
trusting the WRONG PEOPLE...

Just a thought....

[derekjl]

Engine services are part of the normal timed maintenance of the engine and
cannot "harm" the engine if done properly by qualified personnel...

If you feel a FACTORY guided procedure can be harmful to your car, you most probably are
trusting the WRONG PEOPLE...

Just a thought....

It's not the timing belt procedure that I am concerned about, it's the fact that the problem was misdiagnosed or not completely diagnosed the first time around. I love the service department at the dealership that I bring my car to, but each time something like this happens I do lose a little bit of faith in the whole process. I guess I have to weigh the pros and cons. I'm not paying a dime to get this fixed, so even if I do have to come back a second time to get it right, at least in this situation, then lesson learned.