204PS 4motion DSG - vibration at low revs

[stupot]

Hi all, newbie to the forum but have been lurking for a while and seems a very helpful place. Just bought a 2017 kombi and am a first time T6 owner so nothing to benchmark against. It vibrates and resonates quite a bit at low revs when pulling away and also seems to do the same at certain revs/speeds e.g. around 2000rpm 70mph. Seems to be more when using throttle lightly, less noticeable when pushing it harder. Any ideas? Wondering if it might be driveshaft/haldex, or possibly wheels? Has some 20’s on it with Pirelli’s that look ok.

 

[DaveD]

Welcome to the forum.
This will be difficult for anybody to diagnose with any certainty but I'm sure people will come up with ideas and suggestions that will help you. As always, the more information you provide, the more helpful we can collectively be.
Does the engine seem OK when you rev it in neutral and stationary? Is it manual or DSG? I assume it's a 4Motion because you mention the Haldex.
Is the noise related to engine speed or road speed?
If you're travelling at 70mph in top gear and you encounter the noise, does the noise change if you drop down a gear?
Tyres that look OK sometimes aren't! I've had tyres with more than 3mm of tread all over that became really noisy and caused vibrations. Have you got another set of wheels that you could try? I say that because I don't think any of our T6's came out of the factory on 20" rims, many of us have a set of Clayton wheels lurking somewhere.
If you just bought it, I assume it has a warranty. Has it just started doing this or got worse since you purchased it? Could you return to the seller and ask them to check it under warranty?

 

[stupot]

Hi Dave thanks for replying. It is indeed a 4motion DSG. It appears to be an engine speed thing (I think) around 1700-2000rpm the van seems to find the opposite of a sweet spot (sour spot?!) and vibrates, a bit like when you’re in the wrong gear in a manual. Wheels - afraid I don’t have an alternative set. I did debate getting them refurbished as they are a little scruffy and I guess they’d balance them which might be a potential source of the issue?
When it kicks down or I keep accelerating it goes away. It’s much more noticeable when I’m being gentle with the throttle.
I bought privately but have the VW warranty (All in service package), I asked the seller to get the eligibility check done before buying, so at least I have some sort of peace of mind!

 

[DaveD]

If the noise changes according to engine speed then trying a different set of wheels is unlikely to benefit you. I'm wondering it the noise and vibration could be caused by the dual mass flywheel? How many miles has the van done?
I think your best bet is to get a competent mechanic to take it for a test drive and see what he / she thinks.

 

[stupot]

Thanks Dave. Does a DSG have a DMF? I thought no? It’s done 74k. I’ve heard good things about one of the local dealers and I also know a specialist so I’ll probs give one of them a visit

 

[DaveD]

Somebody will correct me if I'm wrong but as far as I'm aware a DSG gearbox equipped T6 has a DMF, but I've never owned a DSG vehicle. It's certainly not unheard of to have DMF problems at 74K.
DSG isn't the same as a traditional automatic gearbox, which would have a torque converter.
Good idea to get it to the garage - they should be able to give an expert opinion / diagnosis, as I said earlier, it's next to impossible to accurately diagnose this type of problem over a forum.
I hope it's something cheap and easy to sort out!

 

[stupot]

Good point, hadn’t considered the different set up with a DSG box versus a normal auto. Fingers crossed it’s a warranty job

 

[pvr]

Hi Dave, I've been following this post a bit. I would like to ask . I have a 2018, 2.0 BTDi 4 motion LWB with 75000 km's on the clock. I also experience this prominent vibration at approximately 1700-2000 rpm. More so in the latter gears 5-7. It is still under warrantee (or as we have it "motorplan" here in South Africa). An old VW mechanic told me outright it is the inner CV 's on the front , but VW (3 dealers later) wants nothing of it. Problem started at about 60000km's . Had new tyres fitted and balanced but it persisted. The motorplan will end soon and I suspect, VW will suddenly find the problem then??, since I will then have to pay to replace the CV joints. Any idea from your side? Regards Pieter.

 

[Carlos Vandango]

Hi Stupot. Did you get your vibration issue resolved? I would be interested to know what the source of the problem was I have the same identical issues. Thanks

 

[Sparkyis]

For me, with a 2018 204 2wd DSG LWB Kombi, I was experiencing similar symptoms by the sounds of it, albeit at 100,000 miles… turned out to be the DMF. New flywheel transformed the van, no such symptoms at any revs… hope this helps! Noisy tick over also a dead giveaway….

 

[Carlos Vandango]

Thanks Sparkyis. All info greatly accepted I’m trying to get to the bottom of this. Mine is a 204 dsg also with 100k. But have 4motion to make it more confusing. I’ve disconnected the rear drive train to eliminate any 4wd issues. Changed wheels and tyres. Still got a low/deep vibration at about 40 mph but only under load. Can accelerate out of it. It was a lot worse when rear was connected, poss due to more load. Had it in and out of the local garage and a specialist vw technician several times, they’re scratching their heads now. The noisy tick over is interesting I think I’ve got that too

 

[Sparkyis]

Thanks Sparkyis. All info greatly accepted I’m trying to get to the bottom of this. Mine is a 204 dsg also with 100k. But have 4motion to make it more confusing. I’ve disconnected the rear drive train to eliminate any 4wd issues. Changed wheels and tyres. Still got a low/deep vibration at about 40 mph but only under load. Can accelerate out of it. It was a lot worse when rear was connected, poss due to more load. Had it in and out of the local garage and a specialist vw technician several times, they’re scratching their heads now. The noisy tick over is interesting I think I’ve got that too

Once you hear it you’ll never forget it! Check out this thread… How many with a T6 dsg have had a dmf flywheel failure before 50k, 100k and after 100k?

 

[stupot]

Yep… was the DMF. Had it replaced under warranty as I have the VW All In plan. Glad I got it as the dealer would have charged over £2k!

 

[Sparkyis]

Yep… was the DMF. Had it replaced under warranty as I have the VW All In plan. Glad I got it as the dealer would have charged over £2k!

Yessss! Not for your dramas but for having my first forum “score”!!! Knowledge acquired then applied through late night new posting views is what I attribute it to…. Glad to hear you got it sorted,what a difference it makes! Happy driving!

 

[VW-Aero]

If I may revive this thread. I am experiencing the same vibration issue at low revs. When I am above 2000rpm it disappears or when I lift my foot from the accelerator and the bus drops to the 1000rpm cruise while maintaining the current speed.

I Brough it to VW commercial as my local VW garage were unable to diagnose a problem. I specifically asked them to look at the DMF which they claim they did. The diagnoses was not the DMF. They claim because my van is 4 motion there is a support around the drive shaft which prevents shaft whip and the rubber that houses the bearing has perished and is causing me the problem. I did not get to see it as by the time I had arrived the stainless steel scrape plate was reinstalled under the full length of the underside of the van. To replace this part, remove and reinstall the plate and a gearbox service will be 700 euros which I am ok with. I am booked in for the beginning of May for the work and I hope it solves the problem but at 120000km I still suspect its the DMF.

 

[VW-Aero]

Apologies for delayed reply, I have been travelling for work.

I received my van back from VW and the vibration is still there below 2000 rpm but now only in 6th and 7th gear, all other gears its smooth. The vibration has also shifted location to the aft of the van and rattles the kitchen where as before it felt like it was coming from the gearbox area forward of the front seats. Very puzzling because when I called VW and explained they said its normal and absolutely not the DMF.

My wife who is an infinitely better car mechanic than me (we aircraft engineers make shite car mechanics, its a proven fact) thinks its a selector on the gearbox that doesn't down shift fast enough causing the vibration (like driving a manual car at low speeds in high gear). The upshift is smooth but below 2000 rpm (6/7th) the vibration remains and when I use the flappy paddles to drive the vibration is gone as I am in a lower gear.

I am at a bit of a loss now but I will go back to VW and ask them if my wife's theory is feasible.

 

[PupoSK]

I am experiencing the same. The most apparent in 6th, especially in 7th at around 1800 rpm and higher with light throttle. Mine is 204 DSG 4motion with 130K km

I found somwhere that it might be related to driveshaft flex joint. No luck with part No though.. Local dealer would only quote me for the whole assembly with driveshaft, around 1000€

Did you have any luck with your theory?

 

[Talks]

Hi all,
I am revisiting this thread because I am having exactly the same issues on a 2017 204 4motion. Vibrating at low revs in high gears. Just got it back from a trusted garage that has had the DSG checked at a gear box specialist, the DMF is working fine, it was found to have some prop shaft issues but he had replaced the centre bearing and the CV joint. There is no difference. Does anyone have any thoughts?
Thanks in advance.

 

[markus_maximus]

Haha, searched the forums thinking it was a long shot, but I'm having exactly the same issue as Talks, also with a 2017 204 4motion.

Happens around 1200rpm, doesn't really matter about the gears or speed. Has just had a massive overhaul (DPF/EGR/Turbo) at VW, so think they should/would have spotted if it was a mechanical issue.

My thought is that it could be one or more of the body panels having a resonant frequency that hits in at that RPM. The previous owner told me the panels have been sound deadened, but I've not actually taken them off to look, so don't know if that's the case.

 

[Bigsidavies]

Slapping the panels with your hand on the outside will let you know if they have sound deadening on the inside. You’ll get e dead ‘dull thud’ with deadening.