My 2000 Beetle 1.8t's engine with 70,000 miles on it is making fairly
loud puttering sounds like a diesal engine and it is also making a sound
like gangling chains (like metal against metal) when it's running. Apart
from that, it seems to be running good with good acceleratin. I am about
due for an oil change but the oil level is fine. What could that be?
Right now I'm wondering if It could be engine knock. I always use
premium (91 octane) but I wonder if I'm getting ripped off by the
station that could have put regular (85 octane) in their premium pumps.
What does knocking sound like?

Could it be the timing belt tensioner or water pump?
Have you had the timing belt changed yet?
HAVE IT CHECKED NOW!!! :-)
But it may be the shield over the exhaust or exhaust manifold and you hear
vibration.
Not sure how the NB 1.8t setup is though. <:-)

Did you buy this NB new and maybe get a factory warranty of 10years 100K
miles on the powertrain? Info will be in the owner's manual. Gotta keep
good records of service and oil change intervals! ;-)

later,
dave
(One out of many daves)

"Gary D" <lolajoker (AT) webtv (DOT) net> wrote

I had the water pump replaced last summer so I wonder if it could be a
defective part. My temp light has come on red a few times during first
starting out on cold mornings. Would the water pump make that noise?
Would the timing belt make that noise?

If a shop did the water pump......take it back to have them look for the
noise and check the temp light out.
Probably some part that revolves is making that noise, but it could be a
vibration also.
Water pumps, timing belt tensioners, alternators, a/c compressors, etc.
I have seen partially frayed timing belts hitting certain engine parts
creating a noise.


"Gary D" <lolajoker (AT) webtv (DOT) net> wrote

On Jan 25, 2:08 pm, lolajo... (AT) webtv (DOT) net (Gary D) wrote:
A. Follow Dave's advice.

B. "Knocking" sounds like marbles in a muffled coffee can. Once you
have heard it for the first time you will never mistake it. Diesel
engines 'knock' because they use compression-ignition, which is
analogous to 'knocking' in a gasoline engine... premature ignition.

Then: You could have skipped a notch on the timing belt you could have
bad gas, you could have a partially clogged filter so the vehicle is
running lean, you could have something as simple as a loose heat-shield
combined with mild knocking.


Peter Wieck
Wyncote, PA