Yellow dog wrote:

Got this terrible freakin scary noise from the Passat engine
compartment.

What did it sound like? We don't know what sort of noise scares
you. Whistle, squeal, rattle, knock, something else?

Stopped and lifted the bonnet. It sounded as though it was
coming from the engine rocker cover area so I took off the oil
filler cap and saw oil splattering about; checked the oil
level and there was certainly oil there. Felt the alternator
and it seemed OK although the noise did *I THINK* settle down
if I held the alternator bracket - not really sure. The noise
did NOT seem to increase as I revved the engine - strange.

Amplitude or frequency? Do you mean it didn't get louder? Or
it didn't get faster with engine speed?

On the way home -for no apparent reason- the noise disappeared
and the car drove fine. There was no hint of anything when
used it the previous day and I covered about 70 miles. At home
I checked/ tightened the alternator bolts and they seemed OK.
SPOOKY! I have not had the need to drive it today.

Any ideas what it could be so I can tackle it BEFORE it either
gets worse or breaks down.

1990 "H" reg. Passat estate 16v 2.0L petrol manual.

I'm not sure if this engine has hydraulic valve lifters. Have
you changed to a better quality (synthetic) engine oil lately?

John

Did it sound like something broke? That happened to me once in my 99 New
Jetta and then a couple miles later my transmission exploded. VERY
expensive.
"Yellow dog" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 2 Mar 2006 20:36:53 +0000, John Henderson scribbled by his own
authority...
(in article ):

Yellow dog wrote:

Got this terrible freakin scary noise from the Passat engine
compartment.

What did it sound like? We don't know what sort of noise scares
you. Whistle, squeal, rattle, knock, something else?

Rattle.

Stopped and lifted the bonnet. It sounded as though it was
coming from the engine rocker cover area so I took off the oil
filler cap and saw oil splattering about; checked the oil
level and there was certainly oil there. Felt the alternator
and it seemed OK although the noise did *I THINK* settle down
if I held the alternator bracket - not really sure. The noise
did NOT seem to increase as I revved the engine - strange.

Amplitude or frequency? Do you mean it didn't get louder? Or
it didn't get faster with engine speed?


Didn't get louder or increase in frequency.

On the way home -for no apparent reason- the noise disappeared
and the car drove fine. There was no hint of anything when
used it the previous day and I covered about 70 miles. At home
I checked/ tightened the alternator bolts and they seemed OK.
SPOOKY! I have not had the need to drive it today.

Any ideas what it could be so I can tackle it BEFORE it either
gets worse or breaks down.

1990 "H" reg. Passat estate 16v 2.0L petrol manual.

I'm not sure if this engine has hydraulic valve lifters. Have
you changed to a better quality (synthetic) engine oil lately?

John

Only had the car about 7 days and was assured by a friend of a friend that
it
had been serviced a few months ago.

Thanks for taking the time to repy.

--
Yellow dog

Remove MEATFREEspamblock to reply to this vegetarian.

Yellow dog wrote:

Whistle, squeal, rattle, knock, something else?

Rattle.
....

Didn't get louder or increase in frequency.

OK, nothing to do with hydraulic tappets or type of oil then.

If it happens again, you might be able to "stethoscope" your way
to the source. Being wary of rotating parts, use a long
screwdriver or a stick to listen to parts of the engine (one
end against your ear, and the other end on the valve cover for
example). You'll hear many individual noises as you move it to
different places.

John

I'm sure it has hydraulic tappets.

Check the oil level - my '90 Polo has just developed a rattle and I thought the
oil level was OK, but it took most of a pint and then the rattling subsided a
minute after starting up. I've done about 2,500 miles since changing the oil,
so I guess it deserves a top-up. Maybe it was only kidding me that the oil
level was OK - nowhere much is level at home, so there's a bit of guesswork
needed.

--
Dave.
UK VW Type 3 & 4 Club
http://www.hallvw.clara.co.uk/
------
"Yellow dog" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 2 Mar 2006 20:36:53 +0000, John Henderson scribbled by his own
authority...
(in article ):

Yellow dog wrote:

Got this terrible freakin scary noise from the Passat engine
compartment.

What did it sound like? We don't know what sort of noise scares
you. Whistle, squeal, rattle, knock, something else?

Rattle.

I'm not sure of the frequency or noise increase but consensus does suggest
hydraulic tappets. I had to top up the oil, so I'll wait and see how I get
on. Thanks for everyone's input.

Apology for replying to my own post. Drove the car today and it was as quiet
as a mouse. happy chappy at least for the time being.


Funny that!
It's been quite cold recently - maybe that has had some effect.
My Polo didn't use any water today on the same journey it has recently used
around a
tea-cup full. Baffling. Maybe warmer weather is sealing hose joints or helping
the expansion tank cap valve to work properly. Even the temp gauge was working
the whole journey. Must be Springtime again. :-)

--
Dave.
UK VW Type 3 & 4 Club
http://www.hallvw.clara.co.uk/
------