Inconsistent noise from top end

nickvespe

New member
Joined
Dec 2, 2017
Location
Burlington, New Jersey
TDI
2003 Jetta TDI ALH
Hey guys,
Long time lurk, no post. However I have encountered my first unsolvable issue for my tdi.
2002 ALH Jetta.

I have had 0 issues with the car running or driving. Two days ago I turned onto my street (luckily). While at the stop sign I heard an uneven clack/smack type of noise. Not a thud, not metallic. Just slapping. As I went from 1st to 2nd I noticed it getting faster but no rhythm. While I gave more gas preparing to shift to 3rd, car shuts off and i get 0 power. I throw in neutral and cruise to my house and yank it in the driveway.
I start the car again after a quick visual inspection. That takes us to these videos. One of the start, one of the noise isolated (from a distance because engine is loud).
start:https://youtu.be/aMOTjx78Zm0
noise:https://youtu.be/xpWnJq6xq1I
So I pulled valve cover. I isolated the sound to the very left of valve cover or top of pulleys. Everything seems to spin perfectly fine. Belt looks great, gears/pulleys as well.
motion:https://youtu.be/FROjdlWskvA
This leaves me stuck. Any takers? I am about to throw Vc back on and start it back up tomorrow. I dont want to further damage but I cannot locate any problem.
 

wonneber

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Oct 12, 2011
Location
Monroe, NY, USA
TDI
2014 Jetta Sportwagon,2003 Jetta 261K Sold but not forgotten
Maybe take the alternator belt off to see if the noise goes away.
The water pump is driven by the timing belt so it won't overheat.
If it's gone check the alternator clutch pulley. You have to hold the internal fins with a screw driver ( or such) and turn the pully. It should spin one way (with resistance) not the other.
If the belt tensioner is bouncing around with the engine running it's a real good chance the clutch pulley is bad.

If it's still there take the top cover off the timing belt cover. Only a few clips.
You might have to loosen the screw holding the fuel filter in place and slide the filter up for clearance above cover. Check the belt is REAL tight.
If it's not, DO NOT START THE ENGINE.

Last but a long shot.
The crankshaft pully may be rusting apart.
You might have to take the lower engine covers off to check this.
 
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