2003 1.8t sounds awful
 

Hey there. My wife's 2003 1.8t is making some strange noises. At start up it idles very rough or has a disturbingly loud/different fan noise for 5-10 seconds. Sometimes, when I start it up in the morning, back out of the garage and then shut the engine off it sounds like a jet airplane powering down. It used to not do this...used to be that I shut the engine off and it goes off, no funny business.

The car is at 55000 miles and we recently took it into the dealership for the 45000 mile service....$600 bucks....hoping the problems might go away. They didn't. That service is a rip-off by the way. They gave a list of things that is done and they all start with "check"....check this, check that. Car could have just sat there and there is no way to tell if they "checked" anything. Only tangible services were spark plugs and fluid changes.

Anyway, I'm worried the turbo may be going bad. What does that sound like??? There are no noticeable performance changes or mileage drops. About a month before this all started I put in a drop-in K&N filter. Could that be causing problems?

RE: 2003 1.8t sounds awful
 

dakbala,I have the exact same problem with my 2003 1.8t. I have been living with the problem for a while. I have found that if you let the engine run after first starting it up for about 15-30 secs, that airplane sound will occur and the engine will not sputter. I hope someone else on here has an idea whats going on.

RE: 2003 1.8t sounds awful
 

upon start up the funny noise is the secondary air pump, thats what a VW tech told me at least. Trying letting the car warm up completely, just a few minutes until the rpms drop down, (itll run high when you start for about a mintue) see if it runs any better then, my car has 30000 miles and will run weird if i dont let it start up.
-good luck

RE: 2003 1.8t sounds awful
 

mine makes the same noise when i turn it on. also, when driving it seems like the turbo doesnt always kick in. other times it will work fine though... is there something wrong with my turbo?

RE: 2003 1.8t sounds awful
 

I know this was a long time ago, but my 2002 1.8t Jetta is doing the dame. And it is not normal. It's related to the secondary air pump and a possible bad combi valve or solinoid.
Does it sound like this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xksFU5TFVDo

RE: 2003 1.8t sounds awful
 

I belong to many forums, and yes it is frustrating when old posts are revived for no apparent reason.Considering the lack of posting on this site, a little encouragementand a reduction in your zeal for ripping those who dredge up old posts seems in order.This seems like a legitimate problem.

It sounds like your secondary air pump has picked up some debris or has a broken blade on the fan.

RE: 2003 1.8t sounds awful
 

Wow you really have the mastery of the English language down. Of course the post was old and the poster is not around but manylurkers and potential new posters are. Yourtantrums are deplorable and franklycontribute to why this site sees so little action or repeat posters. Grow up little man.

RE: 2003 1.8t sounds awful
 

good point monza, some times it's fun to read the coments on youtube, some intresting words made up every day over there.

RE: 2003 1.8t sounds awful
 

monza you know that is what thesearch engine is for
i hate typing a response for something and finding out its a old post
hell it took me 3 min to just type this up
btw air hose is off

RE: 2003 1.8t sounds awful
 

Point well taken, as I've been burnt myself answering old posts. My response is centered more on a business 101 concept. You don't maintain or expand your client base by telling them how big a moron they are.