VW Passat Estate 1.9 TDI - Passat Estate strong vibration while parked

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Sun 19 Jan 2014 23:58
VW Passat Estate 1.9 TDI - Passat Estate strong vibration while parked - Rick2014

Hi,

I recently bought a 2008 basic model of Passat estate and I noticed that it has quite strong vibrations while it is parked when I was waiting to pickup my friend with engine on in a car park. An example will be: the vibration can cause my wife's handbag handle moving forward and backwards. We can clearly feel the vibration once the car is parked for over 30 seconds, but as soon as I start to drive it with any speed, the vibrations disappear. The car drives ok at all gears and speeds without any vibration problem. Does anyone have any idea what is going on with the car? Thanks very much!

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Mon 20 Jan 2014 07:52
VW Passat Estate 1.9 TDI - Passat Estate strong vibration while parked - craig-pd130

The 1.9 PD motor is a good motor but a very old design, so it is gruff, grumbly and vibratory -- especially in colder weather when it is not fully warmed up. And it does take a LONG time to warm up fully: my old Passat would need 7 to 10 miles in winter before being fully warm.

As it's under 6 years old I wouldn't have thought an engine mount would have let go or got floppy just yet, but it might be worth checking.

One thing that does happen is the intake snorkel on the airbox can work loose, causing a ridiculous amount of resonance. A blob or two of Blu-Tak can sort it out.

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Mon 20 Jan 2014 11:06
VW Passat Estate 1.9 TDI - Passat Estate strong vibration while parked - Peter D
In spect the Aux drive belt when it is vibrating and see if the belt if in sympathy. This may be a seized Alternator pully of the anti vibration bottom pulley. However if it is really that severe then you may have a more seriuos problem with the dual mass flt wheel.
Find a Vag independant specialist and see if he can find the problem. Regards Peter
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Mon 20 Jan 2014 18:12
VW Passat Estate 1.9 TDI - Passat Estate strong vibration while parked - The-Mechanic

For the amount of vibration you are experiencing, I'd think the DMF (dual mass flywheel) is a strong suspect. An engine mount would cause a thud type vibration when you accelerate/decelerate as the engine moves fore/aft. An over run pulley on the alternator is more of a chattering/rattling type noise that rarely transmits into the cabin to the extent you say.

If the DMF is going, sometimes the vibration differs if you pump the clutch pedal up and down whilst stationary in neutral but not always. Try taking up the clutch biting point whilst in gear and listen/feel for any change in the noise for a more accurate diagnosis or take it to a trusted independent garage for a second opinion, but from my experience, it's usually the DMF.

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