Camchain/Vacuum pump issue (pics)

[pilla]

Afternoon, just whipped the neccesary off to have a look at the camchain, Im getting a lot of rattle at low revs, especially when the engine is cold, sounds horrible, sounds a bit like a bearing grating/rasping noise to be honest. Im not sure how to test the camchain or the tensioners condition, but at first glance, the chain is tight, no excess movement at all, and the tensioner looks complete and holding tensioning pressure (i may be wrong) There doesnt seem to be any damage or marks to the inside of the housing or on the chain to indicate chain slap.

Here are some pics, What is bugging me though, is when i listened with the stethoscope, the noise from the camchain housing wasnt loud at all, but when i put the stethoscope on the side of the vacuum pump, the sound hurt my ears. Is there any way to test either of these items. Many thanks.

 

[samuelh_888]

It’s very hard to tell visually if the chain and tensioner is work. The noise you hear is possibly these items. When the engine is up to temp and if you hold the revs at circa 2k is there a persistent rattle? If so it’s likley to be the tensioner (oil is thinner when at temp so notnholding tension as well).

Replace both items - don’t use cheap aftermarket parts - Audi or TPS will be able to quote for the kit unless a VAG specialist sorts for you.

 

[pilla]

Hi. The rattle happens during over run. At low revs. was very loud and worrying it was like flywheel clatter. I put it all back together and the rattle has gone. It doesnt do it anymore. I think it was the vacuum pump. From all the videos i watched on the web of tfsi camchain noise. None of them resembled the noise i was getting. Thanks

 

[pilla]

Having a little think about what the issue was, I think i know what it was. I had a bad oil leak from that area, covering the gearbox in oil. It was leaking from the small oilway that transfers oil onto the cam lobe & fuel pump follower via a cylindrical shaft inside the housing, (see pics above) I think at low revs and low oil pressure, because of the leak, there was no or not enough oil getting to this area, leaving the cam and fuel pump follower pretty much dry, hence the horrible sound. Obviously i fixed the leak when refitting the chain cover allowing proper lubrication to resume. Thats the only thing i can think it could of been, because thats the only thing that was changed so to speak. Not heard of this fault before but this could be useful to somebody in the future. Best thing about it though, is my camchain and tensioner are fine