antera309 3 Posted July 7, 2005 Report Share Posted July 7, 2005 I think I have just transplanted in the most troublesome VR6 engine in existance. There are times when I almost wish I had the old reliable 1.8 back in there. Nice VR6 engine noise? Mine sounds more like chitty-chitty bang bang.Here goes...1)I'm getting a ticking noise coming from the engine when cruising at a constant speed. It is most noticable between 2000 & 3000 RPM, and does not happen at all when idling. When I dip the clutch (allowing engine revs to drop to idle, but continuing at the same speed) the noise goes away, which points to it being the engine. There is no rattling/tapping on cold startup that I would expect if the tappets were shot. I'm totally at a loss on this one.2)I'm getting a squealing noise from the belt end of the engine when decelerating (but again, not on startup). I just replaced both the belt and the tensioner and this had no effect.3)I am losing a lot of coolant (having to top up every 2 days or the "low coolant" light comes on). There is no indication of a leak anywhere, but the exhaust fumes absolutely stink of coolant. Is it possible that coolant may be getting into the combustion chambers? There is no milky residue on the oil cap or in the coolant (I have drained and refilled this twice now).4)After filling the tank with petrol, I get a strong smell of petrol inside the car and the level quickly drops to 3/4 full (after only doing 2-3 miles). At 3/4 full, the smell goes away and the car reverts to normal economy. This only happens when I completely FILL the tank.If anyone has seen any of the above problems and can offer some insights, I would be most grateful.I am half in a mind to junk this engine altogether and just get another one. Link to post Share on other sites
jayvwvr6 0 Posted July 7, 2005 Report Share Posted July 7, 2005 im know the feeling mate,you get to a stage were you wanna jack it all in!prob 1 - ive got the same,was told buy a garage it was the cv joints clicking on rotation and ive replaced 3 and it still clicking,short trips in the car i dont here the click but on motorways its there every time so ill be watching your replys to this one.prob 2 - could the spuealing noise be water not getting to your waterpump if as you say your loosing water?prob 3 - ive just done my thermastat housing as i was loosing all my water after about 2 days and couldnt see a leak untill i see the smallest amount of water underneth it,when i removed housing the housing inner where shot,breaking away.prob 4 - maybe the petrol tank breather pipe has come away from the tank causing alot of petrol to slosh out hence the strong smell and loosing fuel quickly?these are all maybees mate but hope you dont have to rip the lump out and start again. Link to post Share on other sites
antera309 3 Posted July 7, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 7, 2005 The squealing noise is now present at idle, which made it easy to diagnose the cause. It's coming from the water pump and, lo and behold, coolant is dripping from the pump too.Location of the fuel leak remains a mystery though. So does the ticking noise... Link to post Share on other sites
antera309 3 Posted July 7, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 7, 2005 Clonking noise from rear of car now too.I've had enough now. I'm gonna break it for parts and buy myself something reliable. Watch the classifieds for some pretty exclusive bits... Link to post Share on other sites
VRmonster 1 Posted July 7, 2005 Report Share Posted July 7, 2005 dibs on the interior. he he. Link to post Share on other sites
mightyvr6 0 Posted July 8, 2005 Report Share Posted July 8, 2005 The ticking noise is probably being caused by the water pump failing. A similar thing happened on my polo which I though was engine related and it turned out to be the pump. New pump and it was running sweetly again with no ticking. Link to post Share on other sites
antera309 3 Posted July 8, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 8, 2005 So, the water pump? Does the engine REALLY have to come out to replace it?VRMonster, I'm sure we can work something out on the interior. I'd rather sacrifice some bits than have to abandon the project altogether...The Mk4 Cabby bootlid and Mattig rear bumper with number plate recess are available right now if you want them. Link to post Share on other sites
Nerih 0 Posted July 8, 2005 Report Share Posted July 8, 2005 there are quite a few threads on water pump removal, the ENGINE DOES NOT need to come out lol, any garage that says that is ripping u off m8, you can raise the engine a bit so the pump clears the cross member and take it out. Link to post Share on other sites
antera309 3 Posted July 8, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 8, 2005 Haven't even had a chance to get a garage quote on it yet - was just going on what the Bentley manual says... Link to post Share on other sites
mtopple 0 Posted July 8, 2005 Report Share Posted July 8, 2005 If you want some good advise speak to Storm developments s they specialise in VR6, took mine there to have a lot of work done and very good price and service.www.stormdevelopments.co.ukGood luck and I hope all works out! Link to post Share on other sites
Nerih 0 Posted July 8, 2005 Report Share Posted July 8, 2005 lol you must work for them, half your posts mention them heheh. Link to post Share on other sites
FishWick 21 Posted July 9, 2005 Report Share Posted July 9, 2005 1)I'm getting a ticking noise coming from the engine when cruising at a constant speed. It is most noticable between 2000 & 3000 RPM' date=' and does not happen at all when idling. When I dip the clutch (allowing engine revs to drop to idle, but continuing at the same speed) the noise goes away, which points to it being the engine. There is no rattling/tapping on cold startup that I would expect if the tappets were shot. I'm totally at a loss on this one.[/quote']A constant tick like that could be a blown exhaust mani gasket or a lazy lifter. The VR is not a quiet engine, so tappet noise should be considered normal except where it's excessively loud.2)I'm getting a squealing noise from the belt end of the engine when decelerating (but again' date=' not on startup). I just replaced both the belt and the tensioner and this had no effect.[/quote']Sure it's the belt? Is it a VAG belt? Worn clutch release bearings can squeal too.3)I am losing a lot of coolant (having to top up every 2 days or the "low coolant" light comes on). There is no indication of a leak anywhere' date=' but the exhaust fumes absolutely stink of coolant. Is it possible that coolant may be getting into the combustion chambers? There is no milky residue on the oil cap or in the coolant (I have drained and refilled this twice now).[/quote']Have you also smelt the coolant for exhaust fumes? Could be leaking head gasket. VR HGs are metal now, so could be a good oppurtunity to sort that ..... for good.You only get mayo when the coolant leaks into an oil path. If the gasket leaks into an exhaust path, you'll get the symptoms you describe. Power will also be down and it'll idle roughly.4)After filling the tank with petrol' date=' I get a strong smell of petrol inside the car and the level quickly drops to 3/4 full (after only doing 2-3 miles). At 3/4 full, the smell goes away and the car reverts to normal economy. This only happens when I completely FILL the tank.[/quote']Not sure what's going on there but petrol fumes indicate a break in the carbon canister circuit somewhere or the fuel rail hoses have gone porous. Level dropping suddenly sounds like a dodgy float sender on the pump.If anyone has seen any of the above problems and can offer some insights' date=' I would be most grateful.I am half in a mind to junk this engine altogether and just get another one.[/quote']Stick with it mate, nothing you've listed is what I'd class as terminal. I thought my engine was knackered and left it with Stealth for a week to get it checked out. It made 199bhp and 190 torque (standard ABV, even the paper filter and zorst) so sometimes paranoia can get the better of you, although your leak is a definite problem....but not drastic. Where are you based? I can have the head off for you, re gasketed and retimed in an afternoon for you..... Link to post Share on other sites
corradogang* 0 Posted July 9, 2005 Report Share Posted July 9, 2005 dont worry m8 i think every vr owner will tell u their engine is a peice of crap too Link to post Share on other sites
antera309 3 Posted July 9, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 9, 2005 Thanks for your advice Kevhaywire et al.The sqealing is definitely coming from the area around the power steering pump/water pump. Seeing as the water pump is leaking anyway, I'll replace this first and see if it resolves the squeak.Further investigation has revealed that the headgasket is weeping oil at the belt end of the engine. It's possible that this oil is getting on the belt and causing the slippage. At any rate, the headgasket needs to be replaced. I already have a full headgasket set (including the exhaust mani gaskets) and a set of tappets in the garage, ready to go on.Taking it off the road for a while is going to be inevitable now. It's either that or a BIG garage bill for fitting all those parts, which my budget doesn't allow for.Thanks again, everyone! Link to post Share on other sites
FishWick 21 Posted July 9, 2005 Report Share Posted July 9, 2005 Ah yes, worn waterpumps squeal.... slacken the serpentine and spin the pump pulley by hand to see if it's noisy. When the pump wears to excess, the internal bypass valve triggers and dumps coolant on the ground. GSF do pumps for about Link to post Share on other sites
antera309 3 Posted July 11, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 11, 2005 Gonna do the waterpump and headgasket a week Saturday. Will let you know how I get on! Link to post Share on other sites
FishWick 21 Posted July 11, 2005 Report Share Posted July 11, 2005 Good man, don't forget to use a nice metal HG from VW..... Link to post Share on other sites
antera309 3 Posted July 11, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 11, 2005 Oh yes, the HG kit is from a VW main dealer. It cost me over Link to post Share on other sites
Seademon 0 Posted July 11, 2005 Report Share Posted July 11, 2005 Corradogang* - I dont think my engines a piece of crap! I drove mine almost flat out for 4 days whilst driving through Europe, done 5 laps of the ring and when I got home I checked the oil & the water and the oil looked like it had just been changed and the water level was still on Max! Add to the fact that the temp was in the 90s+ and I was giving it some serious abuse I think its a testament to german engineering! My car was the only car out of 16 others that didnt miss a beat! Link to post Share on other sites
antera309 3 Posted July 11, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 11, 2005 You can't argue with German overengineering. It's a testament to the VR6 that mine still runs reasonably well, even with so many faults. If you turn the stereo up and drown out all the noises, you wouldn't know that anything was wrong!! Link to post Share on other sites
Nerih 0 Posted July 11, 2005 Report Share Posted July 11, 2005 stereo was installed by vw specifically for that. Link to post Share on other sites
Deano74 0 Posted July 15, 2005 Report Share Posted July 15, 2005 i changed the water pump in my old vr in a couple of hours at home it`s not a difficult job just fiddley if you need a hand i can pm you my no Link to post Share on other sites
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