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2008 R32 - intermittent squeaking noise from the rear

alex-g

2008 R32 blue
Location
Los Angeles CA
Car(s)
2008 R32
Hi everyone,

I've been driving my 08 R32 for over two years now and for more than a year, every morning I hear this squeaking-quacking-pumping noise from the rear. It happens with 90% regularity when the engine is still cold and I just started driving it, i.e. two times a day - when going to work, and then coming back home.

The noise comes on for about 15-20 seconds and resembles the sound of a cat trying to throw up a hairball, only at a faster rate - about two "quacks" per second or so. It then stops, and sometimes comes on again in 10-15 seconds, and sometimes doesn't. Some of the mornings I don't hear it - after all, I do have a significant hearing loss, and may just miss it. I do hear it with a 90% regularity twice a day though.

The dealership (Pacific VW in Hawthorne CA) did observe the noise once but said they couldn't do anything after hearing it just once.

Has anyone heard of this type of noise and what it might indicate? It comes from the rear and appears to be a pumping noise. Naturally, I am concerned this may indicate something serious.

Thanks!

Alex.
 

PyroBob

I'm in.
Location
Boston, MA
Car(s)
.:R 32
Sounds like your hearing the pump...there's quite a few threads about it. It's an air pump that's part of your emissions system. It's pretty loud if you lower the seats, too.

See if it's coming from behind the panel on the passenger side of the boot.

I'm really surprised your dealer didn't tell you that...
 

alex-g

2008 R32 blue
Location
Los Angeles CA
Car(s)
2008 R32
Sounds like your hearing the pump...there's quite a few threads about it. It's an air pump that's part of your emissions system.
Did a search for an air pump, went as far down as 2008, found nothing.

Could you please point me to a couple of threads about it?

Thanks!
 

skaruda_23

New member
Location
CA
Hi everyone,

I've been driving my 08 R32 for over two years now and for more than a year, every morning I hear this squeaking-quacking-pumping noise from the rear. It happens with 90% regularity when the engine is still cold and I just started driving it, i.e. two times a day - when going to work, and then coming back home.

The noise comes on for about 15-20 seconds and resembles the sound of a cat trying to throw up a hairball, only at a faster rate - about two "quacks" per second or so. It then stops, and sometimes comes on again in 10-15 seconds, and sometimes doesn't. Some of the mornings I don't hear it - after all, I do have a significant hearing loss, and may just miss it. I do hear it with a 90% regularity twice a day though.

The dealership (Pacific VW in Hawthorne CA) did observe the noise once but said they couldn't do anything after hearing it just once.

Has anyone heard of this type of noise and what it might indicate? It comes from the rear and appears to be a pumping noise. Naturally, I am concerned this may indicate something serious.

Thanks!

Alex.

Alex,

Does your noise sound like the one in this video, your description sounds similar? My 08 Rabbit has made it intermittently... Not sure what it is at all. Dealer can't replicate it, of course.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptKqt9gtOpU&feature=channel_video_title
 

alex-g

2008 R32 blue
Location
Los Angeles CA
Car(s)
2008 R32
Alex,

Does your noise sound like the one in this video, your description sounds similar? My 08 Rabbit has made it intermittently... Not sure what it is at all. Dealer can't replicate it, of course.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptKqt9gtOpU&feature=channel_video_title

It doesn't sound quite like it so I am not sure. I am hard of hearing and am not in the best position to match sounds. The pumping frequency of it is very similar to that of the sound my car makes.

The dealership eventually replicated it but said "it happens on all GTIs and R32s" and it's no problem. Yet when I ask any R32 owner or tech about it, they shake their heads with that utter disbelief look, "they told you WHAT?".
 

alex-g

2008 R32 blue
Location
Los Angeles CA
Car(s)
2008 R32
are you sure it doesn't sound like the exhaust system expanding w/ the heat and produce those clack-clitty-clack noise?
Not unless it can produce a mechanical pumping noise with very regular intervals from the general direction of the passenger side rear wheel well, rather than where the exhaust is.
 

Fackvw

New member
Location
NM
I also have this issue. What I think it might be is the haldex pump. For me it's only first thing when I start it for the day at my first stop. It's like a bed squeaking during sex kinda sound coming from under the spare tire area in the trunk.

Anybody know what this is?
 
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