Brett San Diego
Veteran Member
Hi all. First post on the MkV forum. I've been on the MkIV ALH forum since 2013 with my 02 Jetta wagon. I've just acquired an 06 BRM manual Jetta sedan. 188,000 miles. It's got a major engine imbalance at idle when warm. See video.
https://youtu.be/4Z2V2tUimWw
To me, the engine sounds good. When it's cold, it's much more settled (no more movement than my ALH), but when warm, it's rockin' and rollin'. Very obvious from the driver's seat when stopped at lights, etc.
Best thoughts on what would cause this much of an imbalance? Flywheel? Differential cylinder combustion? I don't believe anyone who says it just needs engine mounts. It may be true that it needs mounts, but I'm pretty confident the engine shouldn't shake this much, good mounts or bad.
There's not a check engine light. I have a VCDS, but I haven't run a scan with it, yet. No strange sounds when shifting. Records indicate timing belt at 102,000 miles and clutch replacement at 125,000 miles Edit: with LUK DMF clutch.
Edit: It may not be related to whether it's cold or not. May be more related to whether the car has been driven and the clutch operated. In neutral with the clutch pedal released, it settles down a little. Push the clutch pedal in, and it shakes more. Makes me think flywheel imbalance. 2nd owner that I bought from provided me with records from 1st owner that included receipts from Dieselgeek for the clutch parts. May have been a DIY job that wasn't done quite right.
I'm mechanically inclined. I do all my own work. I've had the head off my ALH twice and done the timing belt and cam and lifters.
Would appreciate any comments. Thanks,
Brett
https://youtu.be/4Z2V2tUimWw
To me, the engine sounds good. When it's cold, it's much more settled (no more movement than my ALH), but when warm, it's rockin' and rollin'. Very obvious from the driver's seat when stopped at lights, etc.
Best thoughts on what would cause this much of an imbalance? Flywheel? Differential cylinder combustion? I don't believe anyone who says it just needs engine mounts. It may be true that it needs mounts, but I'm pretty confident the engine shouldn't shake this much, good mounts or bad.
There's not a check engine light. I have a VCDS, but I haven't run a scan with it, yet. No strange sounds when shifting. Records indicate timing belt at 102,000 miles and clutch replacement at 125,000 miles Edit: with LUK DMF clutch.
Edit: It may not be related to whether it's cold or not. May be more related to whether the car has been driven and the clutch operated. In neutral with the clutch pedal released, it settles down a little. Push the clutch pedal in, and it shakes more. Makes me think flywheel imbalance. 2nd owner that I bought from provided me with records from 1st owner that included receipts from Dieselgeek for the clutch parts. May have been a DIY job that wasn't done quite right.
I'm mechanically inclined. I do all my own work. I've had the head off my ALH twice and done the timing belt and cam and lifters.
Would appreciate any comments. Thanks,
Brett
Last edited:
Anyway, the old cam was severely worn, and upon removing the lifters, the exhaust lifters were all severely dished. At least, I think it was the exhaust lifters. I didn't pay close attention as my daughter was pulling them, but if I recall what I've read, the major wear is always on the exhaust side. I've been driving it a few days, now, and I'm happy to report the major engine rock-and-roll at idle is gone. I also did the "zip tie fix" because I was experiencing the engine bog down followed by a burst of power at 2K rpm due to the VNT vanes closing too much. Only, I used some steel welding wire rather than a zip tie, so there won't be any melting of plastic. The car is a joy to drive now. There is still some minor engine shake that is occasionally noticeable from the driver's seat but nothing like before.