I have this new rattle that starts at about 1500 RPM and goes to 2000 RPM. It sounds like a vibrating heat shield but its coming from the cylinder #1 area. Are the valves adjustable on the 1.8t? does anyone else have this problem or had it and knows a fix?

 

I have found and fixed the problem.
It was a bad timing belt tensioner. The pin that pushes against the wheel failed and the tab attached to the wheel was vibrating against the block. I replaced the tensioner and its quiet again.

 

Wow.. sorry I missed this thread earlier. Thanks for comming back to tell us.

Now, how many miles are on the car and did you change the timing belt while you were there? A bad tensioner will add lotsa miles to the wear on the belt.

 

I have around 150k on the car and the timing belt was done at 114k. I would like to do it again to be on the safe side but in august the car is going to be sitting for a year while I'm out of the country. When I get back I'll be doing a belt and any other fixes I need to do.

 

how hard was that to replace>?

 

Good deal..