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screech and rumble when pulling away

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peterbrown

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19
I have started to get and loud screech when reversing, bit like a grinding noise.
 
Maybe some small stones of gravel caught between the brake disc and metal backplate. Have you been driving anywhere where there was lots of gravel etc ? Easy one to check before you explore more costly and complicated options.
 
yes that could be a possibility, will check that out. Thanks
 
Also get a grumbling / vibrating type noise when pulling away , seems to be coming from low down or under engine. this disappears as rev pick up but reappears after each gear change , 180 DSG ! but not as bad as when pulling away ? if I switch to manual gear select it is nowhere near as bad ? but of course this holds the revs and upshift for longer. A bit disconcerting . Anyone had/got similar ??
 
Hi Peter, I'm sure you will find an answer to your problem here but you could help others to help you by completing your avatar details etc. :)
Thanks in advance.
 
Thanks Jabberwocky
Im Peter Brown from CM3 area. At 72 I’m on my second California. My first was 2006 174 Tip which had been the NEC show vehicle ! I purchased this with just demo miles on clock.
Obviously having been a show vehicle it was fully loaded with all extras available.
I changed to an Autotrail motorhome after around 5 years with the California but missed the ability to use as a daily car . So 2013 I decided to get my second California 2012 SE 180 DSG . This has proved to be pretty much faultless until quite recently and now beginning to give my some concern.As detailed in my initial post my main problem is a rumbling / vibrating type of noice when pulling away but only while revs are low, up to around 1500/1600 rpm it then dies away but return with each gear change when revs drop down. After that it seems to purr along as normal ? I can alleviate this noise by using manual mode or sport mode thus keeping the revs higher. I hope this is not too serious but does sound awful. In reverse there is a loud screeching grinding sound which was intermittent but getting more frequent.
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks all.
PB
 
Peter, to help us troubleshoot, at which stage does the grinding noise start in the list below.

You mention reverse in your first post and then in all gears in low revs. I suspect it is happening in both fwd and rev?

When exactly does the noise start
1. Start the engine - idling
2. Press the clutch
3. Put into gear
4. Press accelerator to release clutch
5. Release the clutch
6. Vehicle start to move.
 
Morning and thanks
Ok so its a 180 DSG of 2012 vintage
Engine start is fine and tickover in neutral fine
Foot on brake engage drive all ok but as soon as lift off brake and revs pick up a bit the noise starts ! Pull away and rumbling up to around 1500/1700 revs then disappears ! As revs increase but at each gear change when revs drop noise for few seconds, again until revs pick up. Much better if I use sport mode as this allows gear changes at higher revs. Also same if I use manual changes and keep revs higher.
In reverse and manoeuvre ing loud screeching.
Any idea
Much appreciated
Peterbrown
 
 
Hi mine is a 7 gear DSG ! This only happens at low revs as mentioned ! All other driving , ie motorway , sepurb quiet motoring ???
 
Suggest you take it to a dealer so they can experience the issue, it’s very difficult to assess with out experiencing it in the flesh.

I’ve tried to post details of common problems for you to assess yourself.

If it were mine I would get it looked at ASAP
 
Hi mine is a 7 gear DSG ! This only happens at low revs as mentioned ! All other driving , ie motorway , sepurb quiet motoring ???
I presume it's not a 4Motion?
If you put the DSG in N and rev the engine to 2000 revs, do you get the noise?
How many miles have you done?
When was the last DSG oil change,?
You should be on number this year regardless of milage.
 
Last edited:
Hi no its not 4motion
Done 49500 miles
Ok in neutral 2000 revs no noise
DSG oil changed September 19
Had all steering checked over last week
Power steering belt and tensioner changed last week
MOT all clear last month
Cam belt etc changed 2018
PB
 
Hi no its not 4motion
Done 49500 miles
Ok in neutral 2000 revs no noise
DSG oil changed September 19
Had all steering checked over last week
Power steering belt and tensioner changed last week
MOT all clear last month
Cam belt etc changed 2018
PB
OK, seems it is not the engine. When did this problem start? Any relationship to the DSG oil change? And was the oil change done by VW?

DSG clutch packs can wear and are a replaceable item.

As has been mentioned I think a trip to VW and Diagnostics may be needed.
 
Hi and many thanks,
Come to think of it the problem has occurred since gearbox oil change and I noticed it soon after. Took it back as it sounded a bit like a vibration ! They check all underneath as thought perhaps something loose but couldn’t find anything. Not done by VW but by a VW specialist who I have used since 1997 ? But I’m glad you have asked that question as hadn’t given it a thought since but it has gradually got worse ??
Anymore thoughts are greatly appreciated.
PB
 
Have you noticed any green oil by or under your van ?
 
Hi and thanks,
No haven’t noticed any green oil anywhere but will keep an eye and will check gearbox oil level.
Thanks
PB
 
Hi and many thanks,
Come to think of it the problem has occurred since gearbox oil change and I noticed it soon after. Took it back as it sounded a bit like a vibration ! They check all underneath as thought perhaps something loose but couldn’t find anything. Not done by VW but by a VW specialist who I have used since 1997 ? But I’m glad you have asked that question as hadn’t given it a thought since but it has gradually got worse ??
Anymore thoughts are greatly appreciated.
PB
Have they used the correct oil. That is very, very important. The correct oil is quite expensive and it has been reported elsewhere of problems when a cheaper oil, that is not exactly the same, is used.
 
Many thanks for your input/advise Welshgas !
Sorry didn’t reply earlier but been working today ! Yes 72 and still working ( part time ) and as it looks ? To keep my Cali on the straight and narrow. Will book in with Chelmsford Van Centre tomorrow.
Thanks to all of you guys who have been kind enough to assist me with this ! Any other thought will be greatly appreciated.
PB
 
Many thanks for your input/advise Welshgas !
Sorry didn’t reply earlier but been working today ! Yes 72 and still working ( part time ) and as it looks ? To keep my Cali on the straight and narrow. Will book in with Chelmsford Van Centre tomorrow.
Thanks to all of you guys who have been kind enough to assist me with this ! Any other thought will be greatly appreciated.
PB
Good luck Peter,
Please report back with the findings to help others In Future :cheers
 
Many thanks to all !
Just an update : Have booked in to Chelmsford Van Centre for diagnosis, but earliest was 7th July ! So will use as little as possible in the meantime.
will keep you posted !!
Thanks once again
PB
 
Good evening all,
Well I have an update for you regarding my Screech and Rumble. !!
Despite the fact that I had made an appointment with my nearest Van Centre ! 22nd July earliest thay could fit me in !! I took my Cali to my VW Specialist Paul Bailey. We got her up on his 4post ramp and with handbrake hard on and in drive we all peared underneath. There was one hell of a racket going on and Brad Bailey noticed the power steering belt and tensioner were flapping about alarmingly. Stop engine he called out. Ok so the long & short is that the Alternator Pully ( same drive belt ) had partially seized. This is a clutch type pully . This was causing the belt to distort and the tensioner to move in and out alarmingly and all making a right noise. Of course when accelerating and putting more tork on the belt and tensioner made the belt Screech and the tortioner Rumble.
So Alternator out / old pully off and new pully on / refit everything !! Test all quiet and peaceful !! £101 quid and one happy PB.
VW wanted £85 plus VAT just to look !!
Many thanks to all who advised me over the weekend it was much appreciated. I do hope this might assist someone else at some time.
Beware the Clutch Alternator Pully
Off to Sunny Dorset in September to Celebrate.
Cheers
PB
 
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