Embarrassed by my Caddy's rattling engine rev...

caddyshack33 · #1 (**permalink**) 03-25-08, 03:45 PM

So my buddy picked up an Audi TT and he's been itching to duel my caddy. Even though his is a little four-banger, our cars are surprisingly matched in terms of HP (225 v. 220) -- although he has an obvious advantage off the line since his TT weighs like a go-cart and mine is like a tractor.

So anyway, we haven't dueled yet, but this weekend we were in the parking lot revving our engines, and I notice this hideous RATTLE/BUZZ around 2900 rpms AFTER releasing the throttle. I would rev it up--just so he could hear what it's like to have 6 cylinders--to about 3500 and, as the rpms decrease, the BUZZ RATTLE would kick in from around 2900 down to 2300. It would be normal the rest of the way.

My buddy turns, looks at my car, and says "Is your car ok?"

Man, this is the worst thing to hear from your competition after telling him how much you'll enjoy looking at him in the rear view mirror.

So having a crappy rev is not something I would have expected from this engine. Took it to the dealer and told him about the problem. Response? "Well it's normal when there is not a load on the engine and you rev it up." You probably don't hear it when you're driving normally. I had him check it out. He said "yeah I just had a CTS-V in here that did the same thing."

Any of you ever dealt with this? I mean, I can't be the only guy that revs up the engine on his caddy!

SvB4EvA · #2 (**permalink**) 03-25-08, 04:27 PM

Well, I have a 3.6 but this has never happened to me... If you wanna borrow it to beat up your friends Audi, lemme know.

concorso · #3 (**permalink**) 03-25-08, 04:37 PM

He doesnt own an Audi, its a fwd VW golf in drag. Unless its the new TT, they actually drive pretty good. Still a girls car, tho...

I had a 3.2 a few years ago and I never had that issue. Havent had the issue with the 3.6 either. Is there another dealer close that you can get a 2nd opinion from?

caddyshack33 · #4 (**permalink**) 03-25-08, 04:41 PM

I think the 3.6 is smoother all around from what I've heard. Nice ride. We might have to make it a rally instead of a drag race if I get to use your wheels.

caddyshack33 · #5 (**permalink**) 03-25-08, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by concorso

He doesnt own an Audi, its a fwd VW golf in drag. Unless its the new TT, they actually drive pretty good. Still a girls car, tho...

I had a 3.2 a few years ago and I never had that issue. Havent had the issue with the 3.6 either. Is there another dealer close that you can get a 2nd opinion from?

I hear ya...would have never in a million years bought a TT. Just not a look I like. Although I will give that the interior is nice and the six-speed has short throws.

Still, turbocharged or not, it must be beaten.

I'll get a second opinion from another dealer that I started using. I can't imagine that this is "normal."

concorso · #6 (**permalink**) 03-25-08, 04:47 PM

Yes, a rattle is certainly worth checking out. The 3.2L wasn't as quiet or smooth, but it wasn't noisy.

No doubt about the interior, either. My nieghbour had a black TT with dark rust colored leather interior, and even the sticking was like a baseball glove. Not my favroite interior designs, but certainly layed out well and VERY WELL put together.

CTSV_510 · #7 (**permalink**) 03-25-08, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caddyshack33

I notice this hideous RATTLE/BUZZ around 2900 rpms AFTER releasing the throttle. I would rev it up--just so he could hear what it's like to have 6 cylinders--to about 3500 and, as the rpms decrease, the BUZZ RATTLE would kick in from around 2900 down to 2300. It would be normal the rest of the way.

Is this sound coming from your engine bay, or from under your car? In any case, any buzz/rattle is usually just something a little loose that is coming into contact with something it shouldn't be. I think most commonly it is somewhere in the exhaust system.

Quote:

Originally Posted by caddyshack33

"Well it's normal when there is not a load on the engine and you rev it up." You probably don't hear it when you're driving normally. ... He said "yeah I just had a CTS-V in here that did the same thing."

Sounds like the answer you get when they don't feel like fixing it. My CTS-V does not make any buzz/rattles noises when I rev. Its not normal, but probably more of an annoyance than a problem.

nickc50310 · #8 (**permalink**) 03-25-08, 05:43 PM

You should be able to beat him pretty handily unless you suck..... HAHA! A Quattro roadtser MIGHT beat you.

bracester · #9 (**permalink**) 03-25-08, 08:04 PM

3.2 powa

caddyshack33 · #10 (**permalink**) 03-25-08, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickc50310

You should be able to beat him pretty handily unless you suck..... HAHA! A Quattro roadtser MIGHT beat you.

I expect to take him down... and the smirk on his face after hearing my engine rattle only made me more determined.

His car is a quattro and is supposedly turbocharged (which I guess is the only way to get 225 out of a 4-banger). He also has a 6-speed and I only a 5. But given the lineup, driver skill will prevail here.

I'll keep you posted, although my goal is to get rid of the rattle sound before the race.