Cupra 180 rattle when under load

Leeoncupra

Active Member
Feb 12, 2017
764
191
Halesowen
Hi guys

After hours of searching the web im stumped

My mk1 180 has developed a rattle like sound when either

Pulling away just using the clutch/light throttle

When climbing a hill in a high gear at low rpm and the engine starts to labour

It goes after around 1500rpm once the engine natural starts picking up

It kinda of sounds like a blow from the exhaust but im confident it isnt as the noise dissappears completely once rpm builds from 1500 onwards

Ive unclipped the vvt solenoid as ive read from other sites to rule out the cam chain tensioner

Part of my mind thinks aux belt tensioner but im open to other common areas that may cause this

Any ideas? Its just annoying as it wasnt there before

leon mk1 cupra
 

Leon20vt4

Active Member
Oct 21, 2018
939
683
Hi guys

After hours of searching the web im stumped

My mk1 180 has developed a rattle like sound when either

Pulling away just using the clutch/light throttle

When climbing a hill in a high gear at low rpm and the engine starts to labour

It goes after around 1500rpm once the engine natural starts picking up

It kinda of sounds like a blow from the exhaust but im confident it isnt as the noise dissappears completely once rpm builds from 1500 onwards

Ive unclipped the vvt solenoid as ive read from other sites to rule out the cam chain tensioner

Part of my mind thinks aux belt tensioner but im open to other common areas that may cause this

Any ideas? Its just annoying as it wasnt there before

leon mk1 cupra

Damn not one reply...

So i haven't had this problem on my 1m yet but it sounds to me like its a timing belt problem. could be the tensioner in there. or a dying belt. or a knackered guide. but your hand on top the the timing belt cover. have a buddy rev the motor just a bit, sometimes you can feel the timing belt slapping around a bit. When is the last time youve had a timing belt service?

Check your oil? are you running a bit low? also how many miles you got? As oil pressure builds the tensioner could be getting tighter and the belt more strung up. although im not 100% sure if the tensioner builds pressure from the oil in the 20v.

The best thing you can do is get under the hood/bonnet and listen for where in the engine bay its coming from and feel around for any tapping against parts.
 

Leeoncupra

Active Member
Feb 12, 2017
764
191
Halesowen
Damn not one reply...

So i haven't had this problem on my 1m yet but it sounds to me like its a timing belt problem. could be the tensioner in there. or a dying belt. or a knackered guide. but your hand on top the the timing belt cover. have a buddy rev the motor just a bit, sometimes you can feel the timing belt slapping around a bit. When is the last time youve had a timing belt service?

Check your oil? are you running a bit low? also how many miles you got? As oil pressure builds the tensioner could be getting tighter and the belt more strung up. although im not 100% sure if the tensioner builds pressure from the oil in the 20v.

The best thing you can do is get under the hood/bonnet and listen for where in the engine bay its coming from and feel around for any tapping against parts.
Sounds like its from the aux belt side

My gut tells me the aux tensioner isnt as smooth as it was 16years and 127k ago lol

leon mk1 cupra
 
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