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Author Topic: Engine rumble at low revs when pulling away  (Read 7163 times)

Offline Ash_89

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Engine rumble at low revs when pulling away
« on: February 12, 2018, 07:37:40 pm »
Hey guys ,
I was wondering if it’s normal for these engines to sound really rumbely when pulling away
Mostly noticeable when engine is cold
The sound is like when you fit a foam Intake to a none turbo car it has that rumble when flooring it at low rpm

Golf gti bwa 2007/8

Offline pudding

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Re: Engine rumble at low revs when pulling away
« Reply #1 on: February 15, 2018, 11:19:42 am »
Manual or DSG?

Yes it's a known thing for manuals to 'rumble' when taking up the clutch bite around 1000rpm from cold.    Sounds nothing like what you describe though.


2007 ED30 | 2009 TDI 140 | 2016 BMW 330D

Offline shaunK

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Re: Engine rumble at low revs when pulling away
« Reply #2 on: February 15, 2018, 09:16:04 pm »
Does it almost feel rough when pulling away and like its going to stall? Mine felt like that and it turned out to be the alternator pulley. Simple to test if its gone and also pretty simple and inexpensive to change.

Offline Rigsby

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Re: Engine rumble at low revs when pulling away
« Reply #3 on: February 15, 2018, 09:56:21 pm »
Mines started doing this, sounds like mine is coming from the aux belt area.
A little research suggests it could be the alternator pulley.


Offline pudding

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Re: Engine rumble at low revs when pulling away
« Reply #4 on: February 16, 2018, 12:37:17 pm »
Interesting. Hadn’t thought of replacing the alternator pulley. 

£83 from VW  :surprised:

Is the nut on there really tight? Easy to get off without an impact gun?


2007 ED30 | 2009 TDI 140 | 2016 BMW 330D

Offline Ash_89

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Re: Engine rumble at low revs when pulling away
« Reply #5 on: February 16, 2018, 09:48:12 pm »
Good shout on the alternator pulley yeah it does like pulling away il whip the belt off this weekend and test the pulley  :driver:

Offline shaunK

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Re: Engine rumble at low revs when pulling away
« Reply #6 on: February 16, 2018, 10:32:56 pm »
Interesting. Hadn’t thought of replacing the alternator pulley. 

£83 from VW  :surprised:

Is the nut on there really tight? Easy to get off without an impact gun?

Pretty easy to get off without removing the alternator with the right tool, I bought mine from ebay similar to this one https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BLUE-PRINT-Mounting-Tool-Kit-alternator-freewheel-clutch-For-VW-ADG05506/311998802980?fits=Car+Make%3AVW&epid=1537658071&hash=item48a493ec24:g:hcwAAOSwzXxaA1DJ

Offline Rigsby

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Re: Engine rumble at low revs when pulling away
« Reply #7 on: February 16, 2018, 10:35:48 pm »
Please post your results on this.
@Ash_89 whipping the belt off is a good idea

Offline shaunK

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Re: Engine rumble at low revs when pulling away
« Reply #8 on: February 16, 2018, 10:46:33 pm »
Got my pulley from here for £20 by the way https://www.onlinecarparts.co.uk/

Offline Ash_89

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Re: Engine rumble at low revs when pulling away
« Reply #9 on: February 17, 2018, 07:49:42 am »
Will test the alternator pulley today And report back  :happy2:

Offline Rigsby

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Re: Engine rumble at low revs when pulling away
« Reply #10 on: February 17, 2018, 09:03:45 pm »
Can the pulley be removed without air tools?
I have a spare alternator so may as well swap the pulley over

Offline shaunK

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Re: Engine rumble at low revs when pulling away
« Reply #11 on: February 17, 2018, 09:31:01 pm »
With the right tools and a breaker bar yeah its pretty easy

Offline Rigsby

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Re: Engine rumble at low revs when pulling away
« Reply #12 on: February 17, 2018, 09:33:23 pm »
So breaker bar and that tool you put a link to? Is that all I need?

Offline shaunK

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Re: Engine rumble at low revs when pulling away
« Reply #13 on: February 17, 2018, 11:29:04 pm »
A spanner also to hold the tool 15mm I think, I followed a guide somewhere for it but yes apart from slipping and taking a chunk out my hand it was a simple job

Offline Rigsby

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Re: Engine rumble at low revs when pulling away
« Reply #14 on: February 18, 2018, 10:59:40 am »
Thanks I’ll get one ordered 👍🏼