Multivan vibration query

[gregozedobe]

My 10 month old auto tdi Multivan has in recent weeks developed some increased (although minor) vibration when in drive at idle.

Also the dual mass flywheel can cause wibration.

I don't think T5 autos have a dmf (they have a torque converter instead, as they are a conventional auto).

[Transporter]

Oops, I did read the first post properly than, almost posted a question if it was auto or manual.

[Silver Caravelle]

No mods, just bog standard.

Hope its not the bloody torque converter loading up a little too much causing it!

I will attempt to check the mounts.

Thanks and Cheers,

Scott

[Transporter]

It's quite possible mate. Another one to check out would be the timing gears. If you have a stethoscope you could narrowed down.

[Silver Caravelle]

It's quite possible mate. Another one to check out would be the timing gears. If you have a stethoscope you could narrowed down.

Thanks Transporter. Definately hope it is not those internal timing cogs. I suspect not, as the engine is smooth and vibration free otherwise.

Regards,

Scott

[Silver Caravelle]

Dear all,

I managed to have a bit of look over the weekend. I pulled the tray off and checked the engine mounts as best as one can on their own. The transmission left mount is easily checked as it is exposed in the left front wheel arch! This one seems like a pretty basic arrangement compared to the other mounts I can see.

What is evident ( and is normal in my view) is that at idle, the engine pulses can be felt by hand through this mount (but not through to chassis), drive shafts and tyres. It was difficult to fully check the other mounts. Either way, pulses still felt through the steering wheel as previously described.

Also I picked up secondary matter of a loose heat shield when shoving one's hand up past the steering rack, lower engine mount and drive shaft area - below the turbo area. The heat shield can hardly be seen. The problem is that I could not see properly to determine how/where it mounted by feeling around. Would anybody have any pictures or diagrams of this part of the engine bay? It is a separate heat shield to the large one under the floor above the exhaust a DPF. Whilst it is probably not contributing directly to the pulsing I am feeling through the steering wheel, I am sure it drumming against the steering rack/lower engine mount area creating some further unwanted harmonic vibration.

Thanks,

Scott

[Silver Caravelle]

Hi, I thought I would provide an update.

Last weekend I pulled the engine tray off again and had another prod around.

The lose soft (heat or is it engine noise reduction?) shield attached to the engine block just above the sump on the back of engine - below the turbo, I could not locate anywhere where it fastens. So to stop it sliding around, I managed to bend the bottom lip of it slightly so it wedges tightly above and against one of sump cover rubber lugs. No more movement! I am not sure it really made any difference overall though.

I also from front to back of the vehicle made sure all heat shield bolts and those round fasteners were all tight (which they weren't overly) and checked exhaust joins for tightness (OK).

I am now fairly certain there are no engine mount issues. The idle throbbing through the steering wheel (in drive) comes and goes and is likely to be the engine running slightly lumpy at times, to hardly noticeable at other times. Possibly better with warmer outside temperatures and perhaps the engine mounts on are a little firmer in cooler temperatures, thereby transmitting more harmonic idle vibration. I will just put it down to engine characteristics for now. If it gets worse (which it hasn't so far ) it may become more obvious.

The thing I find most annoying and tiresome regarding driving this TDi auto is that there is a fair amount of drivetrain rumble and resonance in the 1200 RPM to 1700 RPM range when the engine is lugging in gear. The tendency particularly in city driving is for the auto to change up quickly meaning that in particular 4th, 5th, and 6th there is a fair amount of drive train rumble and resonance and turbo noise. If you use sport mode the gears hang on for a little too long. It seems as if the shift points are either too high or too low! I think it is also exacerbated by slight intake drone noise. But the air box seems to be fastened correctly with good mountings.

Another thing I have noticed listening in the engine bay is slight but non specific faint metallic noise. Could this be just general PD engine injection noise or something more sinister?

Thanks,

Scott