So I'm trying to diagnose my idle issues before I dump even more money into trying to solve the problem.

The car idles low enough to make a loud knocking when idling, I presume it's the valves. If the car is in neutral the idle is high enough to sound fine. If I move the steering wheel, the idle drops and I hear the knocking. It also happens when in gear.

I believe I have replaced any possible vacuum leaks and there are no codes. Once in a blue moon the RPMs will jump around at idle and the car will not go. I just turn it off and restart it and it runs. Anyone have a clue as to what this could be?

I seem to have low/no boost so I'm thinking about replacing the DV. Could this be my issue?

 

How many RPM is it running at idle? I'm guessing you have a 1.8/automatic?

 

Car idles at 800 RPM and is automatic. 50 RPM higher makes the engine sound fine. 1.8t AEB

 

Are you saying there's no codes cuz you pulled them or just cuz no CEL? You can have codes and no CEL.

 

No CEL, I'll try to pull codes today and give updates. Thanks!
I also bought a cheap ebay vag com connector off ebay. Should I learn to use this to try and diagnose the prob?

 

Is it a knock or a tic? Low oil can some times make the valves tic but definitely check for codes.