That tapping sound

Marky N

Active Member
Jul 15, 2014
68
3
London
Hi. I'm sure there are multiple threads on this but can Someone advise.
I've got a 2010 cupra. 130k. Got that annoying tapping sound on idle. Just topped up oil and still getting that annoying noise. What's best way to deal with this. Straight to mechanic? I've heard that using an oil additive can make the situation worse depending on what is actually the cause. Thanks
 

fozzybear

middle aged speed freak
Feb 4, 2006
317
19
halifax,west yorks
Hi. I'm sure there are multiple threads on this but can Someone advise.
I've got a 2010 cupra. 130k. Got that annoying tapping sound on idle. Just topped up oil and still getting that annoying noise. What's best way to deal with this. Straight to mechanic? I've heard that using an oil additive can make the situation worse depending on what is actually the cause. Thanks
Try using high octane fuel if you aren,t already...cupra,s run better on 98 as to 95....if still tapping try a good engine clean/flush loosen hydraulic tappets a bit ...but you will always have tapping more on startup than anything...till oil pressure builds(few seconds at most).....

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
 

Marky N

Active Member
Jul 15, 2014
68
3
London
Hi. I'm sure there are multiple threads on this but can Someone advise.
I've got a 2010 cupra. 130k. Got that annoying tapping sound on idle. Just topped up oil and still getting that annoying noise. What's best way to deal with this. Straight to mechanic? I've heard that using an oil additive can make the situation worse depending on what is actually the cause. Thanks
Thanks. Will give it a try although when i had it serviced i did ask them to do a engine flush. You got any advice on re-tensioning the timing chain. It's like i get fobbed off when i ask. It's a chain it is alright is what i get told by mechanics. Not sure what the deal is. My car has done 130k so I'm pretty certain some form of maintenance, even if it's just to inspect it needs to happen. Just don't want to be on a receiving end of a huge bill if it goes
 

Legojon

I only wanted a remap
Staff member
Moderator
Jul 7, 2015
5,284
2,713
It's like i get fobbed off when i ask. It's a chain it is alright is what i get told by mechanics. Not sure what the deal is.

I get exactly the same. I've asked 2 garages now to replace my chain and tensioner (I'm only on 50k though). They keep telling me not to bother. Same with a load of other stuff I've asked for they said is a waste of time. It goes like this "excuse me garage owner, would you like a wad of cash and some work for your guys standing round scratching their bums?"... "nah, ya aite mate".

Anyways, so I'm at 50k. These engines are quite tappy and noisy anyway. I found this increased exponentially for me when I fitted the LOBA fuel pump (which is apparently normal). I'm assuming you don't have an uprated fuel pump? Also, the oil pickup pipe is known for clogging. This would starve the top end of the engine I believe and make it noisier. So that might be worth a look.

I'm booked into r-tech for the end of the month for a inlet manifold / valve clean and injector test / clean / refurb. I think at 130k, I'd be doing all of the above: oil pickup / sump, carbon / injector clean and chain/tensioner. Oh and cambelt / waterpump if it hasn't been done recently. Quite a bill, but if you want the engine to do another 100k.

Depending on where you are in the country, R-tech, AKS, or try asking our new forum sponsor in their section (progressive parts) if their garage will undertake the above work.
 

Marky N

Active Member
Jul 15, 2014
68
3
London
I get exactly the same. I've asked 2 garages now to replace my chain and tensioner (I'm only on 50k though). They keep telling me not to bother. Same with a load of other stuff I've asked for they said is a waste of time. It goes like this "excuse me garage owner, would you like a wad of cash and some work for your guys standing round scratching their bums?"... "nah, ya aite mate".

Anyways, so I'm at 50k. These engines are quite tappy and noisy anyway. I found this increased exponentially for me when I fitted the LOBA fuel pump (which is apparently normal). I'm assuming you don't have an uprated fuel pump? Also, the oil pickup pipe is known for clogging. This would starve the top end of the engine I believe and make it noisier. So that might be worth a look.

I'm booked into r-tech for the end of the month for a inlet manifold / valve clean and injector test / clean / refurb. I think at 130k, I'd be doing all of the above: oil pickup / sump, carbon / injector clean and chain/tensioner. Oh and cambelt / waterpump if it hasn't been done recently. Quite a bill, but if you want the engine to do another 100k.

Depending on where you are in the country, R-tech, AKS, or try asking our new forum sponsor in their section (progressive parts) if their garage will undertake the above work.
Wow. Lots of useful info bro and not just me getting fobbed off then. I am in London.I have heard of R-tech and been on their website some time back. There is another company of a similar name in St Albans. Unfortunately not the same as i would of taken my car there. The one you are refering to is too far which is a pity as they look like a serious outfit. I would like to get that work done. i tried the carbon clean and i am not convinced by its effectiveness. I had given instructions prior to the service to use an oil flush, i specified also the spark plugs, carbon filter all very cheap if you hunt around. Got the car back and... i don't know for sure but i did not feel any difference to the performance of the car whether it is a plus or minus to how it was. It might be just me. So I do have a raised eyebrow with the use of local mechanics but ce la vie. A specialist is what I had in mind. Just need to find a decent one in the London area
 

Legojon

I only wanted a remap
Staff member
Moderator
Jul 7, 2015
5,284
2,713
i tried the carbon clean and i am not convinced by its effectiveness

Was it like a terraclean where they connect a machine to it? The carbon clean I'm getting is where they strip the engine down and do it by hand with a scrubbing brush. In my opinion, it's the only way worth doing. AKS are Milton Keynes and I'd highly recommend them. Not sure if that's too far for you also. But if you could get it all booked in together, it'd be worth dropping your car with them for the day.
 

Marky N

Active Member
Jul 15, 2014
68
3
London
Was it like a terraclean where they connect a machine to it? The carbon clean I'm getting is where they strip the engine down and do it by hand with a scrubbing brush. In my opinion, it's the only way worth doing. AKS are Milton Keynes and I'd highly recommend them. Not sure if that's too far for you also. But if you could get it all booked in together, it'd be worth dropping your car with them for the day.
Just seen this. Notification did not come up on my email. Anyway thanks for the tip. the carbon clean i got is where they pump hydrogen into intake. I think to strip and wash is more thorough but is a hell of a lot of work with a potential for trouble. On a separate tack i do want to get the timing chain looked at. Maybe even replaced ( yes a lot of work) but at 130,000 miles i do not want a catastrophic engine failure. just need to get some priced in. I live in London.
 

cupra_ahhh

Active Member
Nov 4, 2008
1,203
11
Tonbridge, Kent
For what it's worth, I have a 2009 FL Cupra and it really does sound similar to what you're both mentioning. It's done about 38K miles. Once it's warmed up it seems a lot better. One thing I have noticed though, is that when it's idling, it does sometimes sound like it's almost stuttering / coughing. Not a single person has mentioned it to me in the garage, and I've bought it up on here and no one seems that surprised / bothered by it so it must be common on these engines.
 
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