Schwirrgeräusche beim 1,4 TDI | Posts 32+

I know it's also legally binding... I just tend to be a bit more vague about it due to the law regarding legal advice related to the Nazi era...
You don't have to provoke any warnings or cease-and-desist letters.

This is already my second 1.4 TDI 9N Polo. I had the first one 'modified' because they couldn't fix its terrible cold start behavior! My first Polo was very reluctant to start below ~3°C, firing up one cylinder at a time. However, I find that the 1.4 engines in general are not very easy to start when it's cold. They start immediately, but then run unevenly for about 5 seconds or so. Without wanting to promote any specific brand, I get the impression that Aral diesel actually ignites more readily in cold weather. But that's a different topic.
I will definitely be very happy when I pick up my car on Thursday evening and I can enjoy listening to my 3-cylinder engine without it making any buzzing or scraping noises! Let's see...

My car is really starting to get on my nerves! Yesterday, the ESP-ABS warning light suddenly came on, but it went out after restarting. Just now (I was about to drive the car to the workshop), the indicator light started flashing!!! Restarting didn't fix it either! So, there's probably also a fault in the engine control unit! Great!!! Does anyone have any idea what this could be due to? Could this be related to the new turbocharger?

However, the engine power and engine running seem to be normal!

Pure speculation: Based on the combination of issues, I suspect there might be a loose connection in the brake pedal switch (which, unfortunately, tends to be of lower quality in VW vehicles). It's harmless, and clearing the error codes will provide certainty.


Regards,

Olaf.

It could be, but it might also be the motor of the radiator fan ( seriously, it was a problem with a test car from the supposedly reputable company AutoBi**, and supposedly it wasn't fixed until it reached Wolfsburg. Well, so it could mean many things. We just learned from a user here that even two defective brake light bulbs can cause the ABS light to illuminate...

That's the old trick to lure unsuspecting people into the service center out of fear. Only a company like VW can afford to do something like that. The preheating light blinks for almost anything that could potentially affect road safety (according to Volkswagen's opinion).

Regards,

Olaf.

Maybe someone who knows for sure will write to us someday; I know of 3 revisions, but I can't provide proof.

Hi,

Okay, I checked with our car dealership, and they said that definitely three attempts to fix the same problem are required before a car can be exchanged. The mileage and time will be deducted from the exchange. So, in my opinion, it's almost more of a loss-making venture.

Best regards, Christian.

It's clear that a car dealership will insist on three repair attempts. However, that might not necessarily hold up in court. Ultimately, it often depends on the severity of the defect and how incompetent the workshop was. With 3 attempts, you're definitely on the safe side... but then you can still debate what actually counts as an attempt.
However, due to the deductions mentioned, this arrangement is not very financially attractive for the customer; ultimately, they only receive a good price for a used car. Therefore, it only becomes worthwhile after a certain period if there are such severe defects that the car becomes unsellable. If the car is brand new and hasn't been driven much, it looks more affordable.
Again: There is no more transformation! The child is called "Resignation."

Regards,

Olaf.

P.S.
Regarding legal matters, I would consult the relevant case law or a legal professional, but not a car salesperson (who would typically have a completely conflicting interest).
I could also ask a shoe salesperson if it might be worth having my old shoes repaired by a cobbler. Actually, you don't really need to wait for the answer anymore.

Okay, I picked up my car yesterday! The Oxikat, including the flexible vibration damper, was replaced! The result: I start the engine, and... nothing! I was excited, but I told the mechanic that I would warm it up first and then let him know. Well, after warming it up: 'schab schab schab schwirr schwirr, etc...'!!! So, that wasn't it either! Master's comment: 'Yes, I had already suspected that!'
Okay, so I'm getting a new engine installed on January 3rd! This might make some people happy, but not me. As someone who loves mechanics and cars, it's just not the same. It's no longer enjoyable to look at the odometer or to be careful with the engine to make it last as long as possible, because it's already new anyway! They told me I'll be getting a new engine block and a new cylinder head (VW's recommendation). What does that mean exactly? (Piston, camshaft, crankshaft, etc.)
I then went straight to the Toyota dealer to take a look at the Yaris. Well, it's definitely something different than the Polo. It may be very reliable, but it's still a true subcompact car, and the issue of safety (ESP) hasn't quite reached Toyota's standards yet!
So, I went to the Renault dealer (I had very good experiences with my Clio 1.2) to take a look at the Modus. Well, it wasn't really that great either, but it was also very expensive, although it did have complete safety equipment. I would pay the same amount for a Mégane 1.5 dCi; in that case, they would give me 11,000 Euros (!!!) for my Polo (manufactured in 2003, 71,000 km). But as a student, I still have a lot of money to spend.
Has anyone had good experiences with other subcompact cars? I want ESP (Electronic Stability Program), window airbags, and a diesel engine, but no more particulate filters.

Oh, and one more thing: the blinking of the preheating lamp was actually caused by a faulty brake light switch.

If you like the diesel engine in the Yaris (which isn't my thing, as it has too little power and too high fuel consumption), then maybe consider checking out the Mini. Good handling, but limited interior space and a small trunk (significantly less space than the Lupo, despite being 3 cm longer).
Otherwise, there's also the C2 from Citroen...
If you're not familiar with it, read this comparison test: http://www.langzeittest.de/mini-cooper/testberichte/ams_2003_25.php

Good luck...
If you're looking for a real Polo replacement, you could also consider the Smart Forfour. The 95 hp 1.5 CDI engine is also quite adequate in terms of power, although it's not comparable to the punch of a PD engine. If the design doesn't appeal to you, there's also the Colt, which is built on the same platform. It's probably a bit more affordable and at least just as good. The engine mentioned is also available in the Colt.

Regards,

Olaf.

You told me I would get a new engine block and a new cylinder head (advice from VW). What does that mean exactly? (Piston, camshaft, crankshaft, etc.)
.

Hi,

When it comes to a complete engine replacement, everything is new. From the oil pan, through the crankshaft, pistons, PD elements (almost always), camshaft........

But a shielding plate can't be the source of the noise, right? Because if you say the noise only occurs when it's warm... that's quite strange. But I also don't understand the mechanic; usually, they have to do a long test drive so that you can definitively say the problem is fixed. That's how it's usually done here. Alternatively, if the defect is not resolved, the car will remain there until it is completely and definitively fixed.

Best regards, Christian.

My workshop, together with the importer for Luxembourg, investigated the problem, but they found nothing. Subsequently, they (presumably from VW?) were authorized to install a new engine. No one knew of any other solution.
But in my opinion, my engine is in excellent condition; it's pulling better than ever, it uses very little oil (around 450ml over 20,000km), and it just has this irregular rattling noise. It also seems to me that the hydraulic lifters are 'clicking' for a longer time during cold starts than they were recently, but that's probably nothing to worry about.
It's a shame about the engine, and all the effort I put into properly breaking it in and taking care of it, seems to have been for nothing.

I have now examined the noise more closely again:
- As I said, it's a rattling/scraping/buzzing sound (difficult to describe).
- The engine does not necessarily need to be at operating temperature (90°C water); the noise is often audible just a few minutes after a cold start.
- The sound changes WITH the engine speed, meaning that when I slowly increase the speed, you can hear the irregular scraping sound getting faster until it becomes inaudible, say, above 1800 RPM.
- it wasn't the flexible vibration damper between the turbo and the catalytic converter (at least, the noise is still there after replacing both of them).
- it wasn't the vibration damper on the crankshaft either.
- it wasn't the turbocharger either.
- and neither the water pump.
- and neither does the timing belt.

Does anyone have any other ideas? I am grateful for any advice!

If you can't hear it anymore after 1800 RPM, it probably isn't that bad. "I really suggest trying biodiesel sometime and seeing if it becomes more noticeable."

Regards,

Olaf.