1.4 "squeaking" problem putting me off now!

[SciroccoSteve]

Hi guys,

thought i had my mind set on the 1.4 TSI (160) until ive started to hear some of the problems people are having with this engine.

Im now thinking should i just go for the 2.0 now as it only works out an extra £30 a month more, and ive read that mpg between the 2 isnt so different.

Have any of you 1.4 drivers not had this problem? Its annoying as this has really put me off now....

[trix]

Steve

its really not such a huge thing.
mine has all but gone now, it was only ever at one specific point in the rev range & I certainly didn't notice it all the time.
when I did have the squeak I found that it made me drive the car more (driving style wise) than before, pushing it up through the revs & changing gear at different points so in turn I got to know the car better.

you know the reasons that made you go for the 1.4 in the first place so only you can decide if it puts you off that much to change to the 2.0. but imo its kind of like you're saying you want to get rid of your pet dog for a cat because the dog sometimes barks

S

[SciroccoSteve]

Yeh i know what you mean, but the question is should it be doing that in the first place.

I dont really expect a 20k motor to "squeak" up the road and annoy the hell out of me lol

[bleedsoff]

Go for the TDI .

[trix]

Yeh i know what you mean, but the question is should it be doing that in the first place.

I dont really expect a 20k motor to "squeak" up the road and annoy the hell out of me lol

i think you mean shouldn't

I do understand where you are coming from but I believe the turbo & supercharger combination was a relatively new innovation when it went into the scirocco (someone may set me straight here) so with everything innovative there are teething problems, VW are working on it.

but it doesn't squeak up the road, its literally a short sharp 'eek' when you change gear, if you notice it at all! (has been likened to a hamster wheel) it doesn't happen on every change & its definitely not loud, imo it wasn't noticeable over my radio when it was on playing music & I don't have my radio up loud, also i'm pretty sure i've reached the point where mine has totally gone now (approaching 6000 miles)

S

[iAmbu]

Yeh i know what you mean, but the question is should it be doing that in the first place.

I dont really expect a 20k motor to "squeak" up the road and annoy the hell out of me lol

i think you mean shouldn't

No he doesn't...

[SciroccoSteve]

Yeh i know what you mean, but the question is should it be doing that in the first place.

I dont really expect a 20k motor to "squeak" up the road and annoy the hell out of me lol

i think you mean shouldn't

I do understand where you are coming from but I believe the turbo & supercharger combination was a relatively new innovation when it went into the scirocco (someone may set me straight here) so with everything innovative there are teething problems, VW are working on it.

but it doesn't squeak up the road, its literally a short sharp 'eek' when you change gear, if you notice it at all! (has been likened to a hamster wheel) it doesn't happen on every change & its definitely not loud, imo it wasn't noticeable over my radio when it was on playing music & I don't have my radio up loud, also i'm pretty sure i've reached the point where mine has totally gone now (approaching 6000 miles)

S

I realise its new technology etc, but surely VW should have tested it enough before releasing it on the general public?
In terms of how often, what revs, and in what gear it does it, i personally dont think someone should have to adapt there driving style to avoid a fault with the product.

[stuaz]

In all honestly, if a "potential" squeak is putting you off buying the car, then I don't think you were really that set in getting it.

Personally I have never owned a car that didn't have some sort of Squeak or odd noise. Same for houses....

[trix]

Yeh i know what you mean, but the question is should it be doing that in the first place.

I dont really expect a 20k motor to "squeak" up the road and annoy the hell out of me lol

i think you mean shouldn't

No he doesn't...

its a friday

[RW1]

Erm... its becoming a headache for VW. They've gone back again to look at the clutch material since the latest has failed - 3rd version. We await a 4th!

The Supercharger is not engaged all the time at idle to 3,500rpm. The rpm range in which the SC works. The engine ECU calls on it as required for boost, so to be light footed on the accelerator and boost may not even be used. Boot it and the charger is asked for full demand. When not in use, the SC is dis-engaged by the ECU and it is not rotating.

The max speed of the Supercharger is 17,500rpm. This is 5 times the engine speed rpm, so say at 1,500 rpm, the SC is engaged and made to spin upto 7,500rpm from stationary. To do that with with what is a clutch about 4" in dimeter is a fair load, so obviously something gives for a while and its not the drive belt. VW's problem is finding a material which will remain quiet under such circumstances with simple clutch design in a compact space. They almost have it but not quite as some SC clutches make no noise.

Mine now has developed a new song. The double prolong squeak and yesterday I could hear the clutch cutting in again & again as the engine cruised at 60 mph. Only 6,000 miles to death of the little rodent under of the bonnet and a quiet engine again - fingers crossed.

It isn't an issue that should stop you buying the Scirocco with this engine. I'm amazed how it shifts the Scirocco down the road. I'd have another.

C.

[iAmbu]

its a friday

[infinidim]

but it doesn't squeak up the road, its literally a short sharp 'eek' when you change gear, if you notice it at all! (has been likened to a hamster wheel) it doesn't happen on every change & its definitely not loud, imo it wasn't noticeable over my radio when it was on playing music & I don't have my radio up loud, also i'm pretty sure i've reached the point where mine has totally gone now (approaching 6000 miles)

S

I knew that the VW Group was working on new ECO technology but having a group of "hampsters" on wheels under the bonnet is really ECO friendly!!!

Being a member of "Protect the Hampsters from Over Work Society" and also "Save the Frogs" I don't really support this new Hampster Technology!!!

Infinidim

[coldel]

Got 2400 on the clock no and still no hamster, April delivery. Car is still totally AWESOME.

[ZephyR]

7500 on my clock and never heard as squeak from my hamster. The rubbers on the driver's window seal squeak a bit sometimes, but I can live with that.

[skyblues11]

I can see where you are coming from steve. the noise is not something you should expect or put up with.

i have lived with it since it developed and as long as it does not make any damage, its just a trade off for having such a unique car.

its like those supercars. Looks great on my bedroom wall ( 15 yrs ago!) but really fragile.

maybe by the time you get yours, the problem would have been solved.

[skippy]

I am considering buying a Polo GTi for my wife probably next year which I believe has the same engine as the Roc, so will be looking at these comments with interest on the 1.4.

[rhcp128]

I had the problem and 3 weeks ago, I had a new part installed. Haven't heard it since, but honestly I would buy the car again if I had to chose. It's not as a big a deal as it sounds...

[samwhunt]

Hi rhcp, just interested in what part you had replaced as my 1.4 160 has just developed 'the squeak' and it's pretty annoying, especially as I'm looking to sell soon.