engine has a rattle

[dogspower]

I just bought a 2004 beetle with a 1.8 turbo engine when the engine is running at a idle has a lite rattel speed it up a little over idle it get louder speed it up just a little more rattel goes away and is very smooth sounds like its coming from the right side of the engine any ideas pulled the top timing belt cover off belt looks good

[DZLBUG]

Cam chain tensioner. Common issue that you need to get fixed right away. When it fails it starves the lifters for oil pressure and damage can result.

[chini1091]

does the 1.8 have a timing belt AND a cam chain?

[DZLBUG]

The 1.8T is DOHC, so there is a gear on the intake cam that drives a chain that goes to the exhaust cam. All of this is underneath the valve cover. The tensioner for this works off oil pressure, so when it fails there is a drop in oil pressure to the rest of the head.

[D2Beetle]

This will help... right side of pic.

[dogspower]

my rattle sounds like its coming from the belt side of the engine i know sounds can travel would that china also stop when the engine is sped up rattle stops at about 1800-2000 rpms thanks scott

[D2Beetle]

Sounds like something is loose and tightens up when more tension is applied; check your timing belt roller and tensioner. The first pic shows you the TB belt path and the tensioner is above the roller.

[dogspower]

pulled the valve cover chain is tight and every thing is clean,whats next,thanks scott

[Too Cold NB1.8T]

Check the exhaust system all the way up to the turbo and manifold, make sure that all turbo to manifold and manifold to engine bolts are tight.

Get a hose or engine stethoscope and check the drivetrain until you locate exactly where the noise is coming from.

[dogspower]

Think i found the rattle seems to be the timing belt tensioner is it spring loaded dont seem to be keeping the belt tight

[Fl_bug]

Originally Posted by dogspower

I just bought a 2004 beetle with a 1.8 turbo engine when the engine is running at a idle has a lite rattel speed it up a little over idle it get louder speed it up just a little more rattel goes away and is very smooth sounds like its coming from the right side of the engine any ideas pulled the top timing belt cover off belt looks good

How many miles does it have? Have the timing belt, tensioner, waterpump and such been changed already? If you past 80k miles, you may want to do this ASAP!!!!!

[dogspower]

It has 118000 on it i just bought it drove it about 100 miles and started making this rattle,i am sure it been changed it has a gates belt on it now but put ever thing new monday just to make sure thanks

[dogspower]

fixed my rattel today replaced all timing parts the tensioner was bad could push the pin in with finger

[Smileybug]

Did you do the water pump at the same time?

[dogspower]

replaced everything water pump included

[D2Beetle]

Originally Posted by dogspower

fixed my rattel today replaced all timing parts the tensioner was bad could push the pin in with finger

Glad to see that you got it fixed.

[whitey0375]

My news, after replacing the coolant temp sensor, thermostat, timing belt, timing belt tensioner, and water pump, found that my rattle was coming from the cam chain tensioner. This had better take care of my problem. Go figure my engine code takes the more expensive cam chain tensioner. We shall see where this leaves my rattle. Should have guessed this from the location of the rattle to begin with. Also changed the oil. I really don't want this to leave a bad taste in my mouth about VW, but I am really missing my Subaru SVX '97.