Been trying to track down a "chirp" sound coming from the car for the last three months. Let me give you some details. I did a full rebuild on the engine last year, I did not cut any corners. It's a 2.8 vr6 swap in my mk2. I'm sure a lot of you aren't vw fans and I feel sorry for you! The Machine work was done at one of the best, if not the best shop in Oregon. I'm a firm believer in doing it right the first time. The engine has right around 8k on it now, and runs great. The "chirp" sound started to develope a few months ago after the trans had to come out do to a bent shift fork. Once the trans went back in is when it started. Initially I thought it was the throwout bearing but it doesn't change when engaging/disengaging the clutch, ontop of that the noise isn't even coming from the trans or sound related to the trans. The noise is coming right out the exhaust, sounds like a couple sparrows are in the muffler. So I assumed an exhaust leak. Nope. I've replaced the header, along with a new exhaust manifold gasket, donut gasket down at the collector, pulled the serp belt, it's been on the lift twice while looking for leaks and if anything is lose/rubbing. Haven't found anything. Uncorked the exhaust down at the collector and you can still hear it over the open header. I'm starting to think its cylinder head related. So I'm just seeing if anyone has any other ideas before I pull the head.

vacuum leak somewhere?

You sure it's not a belt or accessory?
You can remove the belt and run the car for a minute to see.

Ive been there can be frustrating.

How about a video of said chirping?

Done this already

Have you used a stethescope,  maybe  help get you closer to were its coming from .

was thinking this first too.

does the chirp keep up with engine speed or is it flat?

ETA: get in there and kick some stuff around. sit on the engine when running, spray some lube on everything safe to do so. kick the muffler a couple times, wrangle some things with your hands...

This-  and this:




We need to know if it's rhythmic or random, the frequency and pitch...

Owned one of the original Grand Am's, wife complained about a chirp when it shifted. 9000 miles on car when right front had to be replaced.  It was chirping ok. Even now when I let her drive my Explorer the fuel mileage immediately drops 2-3 tenths. At least it doesn't chirp. Somethings never change.

V-tech not kicking in fully.

I thought Vtech was a Honda thing.

Sounds like a valve not seating properly.  A video would help give a better idea.

Had a chirp replaced altenator tensioner and idler pulley.

ended up being th e harmonic balancer was coming apart.


it finally came apart didn't hurt anything just took a couple days to get it off.

Had that happen in my Jeep.
Wore a hole in the timing cover and sprayed oil all over. Fun.

Have you tried replacing your throw-out bearing? I've never worked on a VW, but there's gotta be a bearing in there. They chirp when they are going bad, have a lube issue, or sometimes just because. Considering your trans was removed and then the sound started, it would make sense to me.

ETA: Just read the rest of your post, lol. I'd still replace the T/O bearing and see if that changes anything. It's like an $8 part. And depressing the clutch pedal doesn't always make a T/O bearing squeak go away.

It's always the last thing you worked on when the problem started.

Id take it back to the "best vw shop in Oregon" vs asking us broke back mountain camaro drivin retards.

You asked this over @ VWVortex?

Great choice in cars btw.  I'm building a 90 GLI with a cammed and carbed (Dellorto 45s) 2l 16v.

You know what you have to do

Update?

Hurr Durr

Listen to the noob.  Because no one here has ever worked on a car in their life.  This is a gun forum!  There is no mechanics of gearheads/builders here.  Right?

I will have to go with the TO Bearing.

did you take the drive belt off to see if the noise goes away?

I bet it's a pulley making the noise.

Does it stop in neutral with the clutch released?  Could be a thrust/end play issue.
 

A better sound system with a good amplifier cures most rattles and squeaks.  

the dust shield between the engine and trans may be dented, which will come in contact with the flywheel.

It is also possible the noise is coming from a exhaust valve. I belive Ive seen that before But I'm not remembering right now.


nice car btw..

Heres my brothers car.


87 jetta coup, vr6 turbo, should be near 400hp.