Ticking noise...

[kelsie]

Hi,
I know that I have read nearly all of the clicking/ticking noise threads on this website, but none really seemed to be the same issue that I am having.
I have a 2000 volkswagen new beetle, 4cyl 2.0L. it has 100,101 miles on it.
Sometimes when I'm driving, this ticking/clicking noise will appear. It sounds like its coming from the driver side of the vehicle. When I start to go faster, the noise also ticks faster. I can hear the noise in park, drive, neutral, every gear. My trans is automatic.
I can hear the ticking from the outside of the car as well. What is this noise and why would it only happen occasionally when driving?
If its relevant, I live in washington and it has been below freezing every night for the past couple of weeks. When I first had my car serviced, they recommended that we change the serpintine belt soon, so I bought one but haven't had it installed yet. Could this be part of the issue?
this is my first car and I just bought it in august. Thanks in advance!

[D2Beetle]

Off the top of my head, yes it could be the serpentine belt tensioner making that noise; when was the last time the timing belt was changed?.

[IndyTom]

Originally Posted by kelsie

Hi,
I know that I have read nearly all of the clicking/ticking noise threads on this website, but none really seemed to be the same issue that I am having.
I have a 2000 volkswagen new beetle, 4cyl 2.0L. it has 100,101 miles on it.
Sometimes when I'm driving, this ticking/clicking noise will appear. It sounds like its coming from the driver side of the vehicle. When I start to go faster, the noise also ticks faster. I can hear the noise in park, drive, neutral, every gear. My trans is automatic.
I can hear the ticking from the outside of the car as well. What is this noise and why would it only happen occasionally when driving?
If its relevant, I live in washington and it has been below freezing every night for the past couple of weeks. When I first had my car serviced, they recommended that we change the serpintine belt soon, so I bought one but haven't had it installed yet. Could this be part of the issue?
this is my first car and I just bought it in august. Thanks in advance!

I wouldn't be worried about the Accessory/Serpentine Belt as much as I would be worried about the Timing Belt service.
If you are over 100K miles and you haven't had that service performed you are sitting on a virtual time bomb. If the timing belt fails your pistons and valves will have a party and make fireworks which will destroy your engine. Well at least the top part and more than likely will destroy or dent a piston or two as well. Either way you are looking at thousands of dollar to repair vs. 550 to 1100 Dollars now.
The timing belt service usually includes the Timing belt, the accessory belt, the water pump, pulley and tensioner, cam seals if needed and a thermostat. Including parts and labor the timing belt service will cost you about 550 to 1100 dollars depending where you take it to. If you are handy you can probably do the service yourself in about 3 to 4 hours and the parts are only about $134.xx and change:
Vw Beetle Timing Belt - Vw Beetle Timing Belt Kit

Not sure what the ticking noises are but the water pump that came from the factory had plastic impellars which were known to break up and destroy cooling systems. The new kits will get you a water pump with metal impellars for more durabilty. This timing belt service should be performed every 75k - 80k miles. So if yours hasn't been done than it is way overdue.

[Smileybug]

I'd start with something easy...how is your oil level?

[kelsie]

Originally Posted by IndyTom

Not sure what the ticking noises are but the water pump that came from the factory had plastic impellars which were known to break up and destroy cooling systems. The new kits will get you a water pump with metal impellars for more durabilty. This timing belt service should be performed every 75k - 80k miles. So if yours hasn't been done than it is way overdue.

I did get a water pump replaced recently with the metal one. That caused me a whole different issue.
I'm not sure if my timing belt has ever been replaced.
I just got my oil changed and I'm not due for one yet and definitely not leaking... so I will check that and the serpentine belt first, I guess...

[IndyTom]

Originally Posted by kelsie

I did get a water pump replaced recently with the metal one. That caused me a whole different issue.
I'm not sure if my timing belt has ever been replaced.
I just got my oil changed and I'm not due for one yet and definitely not leaking... so I will check that and the serpentine belt first, I guess...

WOW, really strange that they replaced the water pump and not the timing belt at the same time. Are you sure they didn't?
Those two items usually go hand in hand.

Is the ticking a metal type ticking or something like when a fan is hitting something? It's is difficult to imagine the actual sound. I hope you find it soon! And Good Luck with your beetle. They are nice cars but can also drive you bonkers.

[kelsie]

Originally Posted by IndyTom

WOW, really strange that they replaced the water pump and not the timing belt at the same time. Are you sure they didn't?
Those two items usually go hand in hand.

Is the ticking a metal type ticking or something like when a fan is hitting something? It's is difficult to imagine the actual sound. I hope you find it soon! And Good Luck with your beetle. They are nice cars but can also drive you bonkers.

You are so right!! I checked with my dad and he said I did get the water pump and timing belt replaced... my bad! Great now I have no idea what else it could be... hmm. Thanj you!

[IndyTom]

Originally Posted by kelsie

You are so right!! I checked with my dad and he said I did get the water pump and timing belt replaced... my bad! Great now I have no idea what else it could be... hmm. Thanj you!

COOL, something less to worry about. Always a good thing.

Are you sure someone hasn't put a couple of playing cards in your wheel spokes?

[digitalputty]

I read somewhere before that hydraulic lifters cause this noise. My bug - 2003.5 1.8T - has been doing this since the day I got it. And yes, the ticking gets faster when I accelerate or, when the engine goes faster. I test it out by putting car in neutral and slowly pressing the gas pedal. Perhaps that is what it is??

[IndyTom]

Originally Posted by digitalputty

I read somewhere before that hydraulic lifters cause this noise. My bug - 2003.5 1.8T - has been doing this since the day I got it. And yes, the ticking gets faster when I accelerate or, when the engine goes faster. I test it out by putting car in neutral and slowly pressing the gas pedal. Perhaps that is what it is??

Our Beetle's have Dual overhead cam design engines which don't have hydraulic lifters or pushrods. They have followers which is close to a lifter and they can stick at times especially on the 2.0l engine. What oil do you use in your cars? You should be using a Synthetic in either 2.0 or the 1.8. Also use a VW 502 or 505 spec oil. Those engines are picky when it comes to what you put in them. I would recommend Mobil one 0W40 or Castrol Edge 5W40 along with a Quality oil filter.
Also before your next oil change I would recommend pouring about half a can of Seafoam Sea Foam | Products
into your crank case (Oil) and pour the other half into your gas tank. Run it for a week or 300-500 miles, then change the oil. It will clean out a lot of gunk that has built up in your engine.

I think it is worth a try.

@digitalputty: Make sure to use "premium" gasoline in your 1.8T motor. Minimum requirement is 91 Octane RON/MON method. That Turbo requires it. You can get away with lower octane gas in a pinch
since the knocksensors will signal the ECU that your are running crappy gas and retard the timing and enrichen your fuel mixture. Leading to reduced performance and gas mileage.
But don't make a habit of it or you will have unnecessary engine wear.

[Smileybug]

My 1.8T also has a ticking. Its my first 1.8T but I have read that some ticking is not unusual in these. I've run premium 93 since day one and running the proper oil and its all nice and full. Going to be looking into a few other things next week so I may try to track down the noise but its been doing it since day one that I got it.

[IndyTom]

Originally Posted by Smileybug

My 1.8T also has a ticking. Its my first 1.8T but I have read that some ticking is not unusual in these. I've run premium 93 since day one and running the proper oil and its all nice and full. Going to be looking into a few other things next week so I may try to track down the noise but its been doing it since day one that I got it.

I sometimes was told that the fuel injectors produce some sort of ticking noise. I have a 2000 1.8 and mine doesn't tick at least not yet or perhaps it is suppose to tick and isn't.

[VWTBS]

My 1.8T does make this ticking sound too, but only when idling. I've also read some threads at vwvortex mentioning it's from the fuel injector.