I have a 2.0 2007 Mk3 which seems to have developed a rapid ‘ticking’ noise at low revs over the past months - almost a tappety noise you used to hear on the old push rod engines. There is no discernable impact on performance (it is supercharged - and I can’t remember whether I heard this noise pre supercharger) and the noise either goes or gets lost with the increased engine noise when the revs increase. I queried this with the supercharger installer who confirmed that he had heard this in mine and other mk3s but was sure that the supercharger installation would not have caused this noise.
Interestingly, my Volvo 850 2.5 had a similar noise which I recall was caused by the petrol injection system according to a Volvo engineer. He wasn’t concerned about it and didn’t propose any corrective action.
Does it do this between 2000 to 2500 RPM in any gear under light engine load? This goes as you accelerate past 2700RPM and cannot be heard at tickover?
Hi, I have the symtoms as decribed in my 2007 mk3 2.0 sport.
Its a very light tapping sound a bit like a worn cam. i cant hear it at tickover and only seems to be audible after coming to a stop and then gently pulling away. i think the symptoms descibed ny JONUK are very similair to mine.
I cant reproduce it when the car is stationary. I have only had the car 2 weeks so would really like to know if this is normal on these engines or whether i need to get it back to the garage.
Get a long screwdriver, put the handle end against your ear, and touch the other end to various points on the engine. You should easily be able to tell when you’re touching the bit that’s making the noise.
Thanks for the advice. The problem I have is the noise only manifests itself when the car is moving and the engine is under load. I cant reproduce the noise when stationary.
I have read some horror stories about the VVT actuator and really hope that is not what I am suffering from.
Could be what used to called pinking ie pre-ignition which sounds like a tapping noise. Its usually due to a weak mixture or ignition timing being too far advanced and before prevalent under slight engine load. If have had a supercharger fitted then it may not be set up right.
It doesnt sound like pinking. The symtoms i have can be heard when i have stopped the car and am about to park it for example. when the engine speed rises to approx 2,000 RPM and the car is moving there is a brief knocking/tapping noise that disappears almost immediately. I heard it this morning and when stationary tried to replicate it and did manage to once very briefly.
I wonder if its something that relies upon a build up of oil pressure?
The car has just been serviced by a Mazda dealer and the oil on the dipstick is obviously very thin as its almost transparent.
I am trying to establish if this is normal on these engines (my 1.8is had no such noises) before approaching the dealer.
The car is 5 years old but has only 21,000 miles on it.
It good well be low oil pressure or the hyraulic lifters drying out has the workshop put the right grade of oil in the car it may be draining back, or has the oil filter got the pressure relief valve fitted this keeps oil pressure in the system
I had similar symptoms, it turned out to be the auxiliary belt idler pulleys. Try removing the belt and running the engine, if the noise has gone it will be 1 or more of the pulleys. Relatively simple DIY job to replace them. I think it cost me less than £100 for the pulleys and a new belt.
