90tsi Mk7 Engine Rattle

[slowestmk7]

Hi, I just purchased my 2015 golf 90tsi comfortline manual with 50,000km a few months back, and I’ve been hearing an awful tinny rattle noise (almost sounds like something is tearing) when I rev the car up at about half throttle, and when I release the throttle at higher (>3.5k) RPM- I think it’s something with the Turbo, but I’m not sure if this is normal or not- it sure doesn’t sound nice. It’s also apparent in neutral when I rev the car. Anyone else have similar experiences/know what could be the culprit? I’ve read of some wastegate rattles, however I’m not sure whether my car’s symptoms are quite right for that? Thank you!

[westenderbender]

Oh here we go, this old chestnut! I’m super keen to hear if anyone has had this fixed by a dealer, and what you say to trigger the fix.

Mine does it sometimes around 2200-2600 rpm, and has done so since new (2 years and 12,500km). I also thought it was wastegate, but the dealer said it was normal.

Has the sound been there the whole time, or is it new?

If it’s really bothering you, I’d suggest taking it to a VW dealer if still under warranty (I’m guessing your 3yrs have passed if it’s a 90tsi, unless it was the very last of them), otherwise a VW independent mechanic.


I’ve honestly just gotten used to it and take it as a sign to push it harder, and rev through the noise to the other side and the smile on my face overrides the angst from that noise. These little engines are absolute crackers, give it hell and it’ll respond in kind. I only wish they still sold the Comfortline in manual when I got my MY16.


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[slowestmk7]

Oh here we go, this old chestnut! I’m super keen to hear if anyone has had this fixed by a dealer, and what you say to trigger the fix.

Mine does it sometimes around 2200-2600 rpm, and has done so since new (2 years and 12,500km). I also thought it was wastegate, but the dealer said it was normal.

Has the sound been there the whole time, or is it new?

If it’s really bothering you, I’d suggest taking it to a VW dealer if still under warranty (I’m guessing your 3yrs have passed if it’s a 90tsi, unless it was the very last of them), otherwise a VW independent mechanic.


I’ve honestly just gotten used to it and take it as a sign to push it harder, and rev through the noise to the other side and the smile on my face overrides the angst from that noise. These little engines are absolute crackers, give it hell and it’ll respond in kind. I only wish they still sold the Comfortline in manual when I got my MY16.


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I’m not entirely sure that mine actually stops even if i push right through! From what I remember, it’s been doing it the whole time I’ve owned it. Unfortunately, it ran out of factory warranty in February, and the statutory warranty from the dealer ran out last month. The car still performs as I’d expect, but I’m just slightly concerned because my Mum’s 77tsi (another engine that loves to rev- maybe even more so than the 90!) only rattles at 2k RPM (and only under full load!).

Mine doesn’t seem to do it if I absolutely floor it which is what I find the weirdest, but it’s quite loud if I give it about half-throttle (it sounds awful!), especially in 1st and 2nd. The engine would sound awesome if it wasn’t for that awful sound.

And yeah mate, the manual is truly a gem, I absolutely love driving it, but I’m up for a new clutch next week because the previous owners must’ve let their kids learn in it (new clutch at 55k?!?!) and it’s just starting to slip- $1500 job which I’m extremely fortunate my dealer is going to help me cover (and do the 60k service at the same time to make it cheaper). I’ll get the mechanics to take a look at it then and see if they can hear the dying cat under my bonnet.


Tl;dr: Car makes bad sound when I use half-throttle, manual gearbox is great, but previous owners weren’t nice to the clutch

[westenderbender]

Tl;dr: Car makes bad sound when I use half-throttle, manual gearbox is great, but previous owners weren’t nice to the clutch

Shame about the clutch, sounds like it was flogged big time! How does the 77 feel compared to the 90? My 92 really only struggles when overtaking at high speed, uphill and with a full load of passengers, but drop it to fourth or, to have even more fun, third and off we go.

Yeah with the engine noise, until you find a mechanic who acknowledges it and has a fix for it (please let me know if you do!), I reckon you just gotta keep it on its toes. Don’t go under 3000rpm, your fuel consumption will still be 7-8 I’m sure

Does your model have the driver assist pack? Now that really completes the package!


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[slowestmk7]

Unfortunately no driver assist! It’s pretty much just a straight up comfortline, nothing much special on top unfortunately. The 77 is actually really great! It uses next to no petrol, even when thrashed a bit. To be honest the turbo sounds much louder when it gets revved up, and the engine just keeps going right up till the redline which is awesome. It lacks a bit of power in the higher gears, but in first and second there’s not a lot of difference between the 77 and the 90.

I took my 90 for a drive today and the sound is really only noticeable with the windows down and the music off- I can’t hear it over the wind once I’m in third gear, but god it sounds awful in first and second (but hey I’m getting 5-6l/100km). I’m mainly concerned because I want to find the source of the sound before it goes in for the clutch - the dealership I purchased it from is doing me discounted labour and parts (because they sold me a dud lol), so I’d definitely rather everything is fixed now rather than again later on. I wonder if anyone else has a similar experience with the 90tsi

[Mountainman]

Had a 90TSI manual 2013 Mk7 for 130,000km and now a 92TSI dsg 2017 Mk7 for 26,000km and neither make the sound at all.

[3timesagolfgti]

It probably the clutch. They had a problem with DSG clutches that basically self destructs. Vw will replace for free as it’s a know quality issue.


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