Topic: VW JETTA - rough noise on acceleration from cold

[andy750]

Ok here is a question for any JETTA enthusiasts or car mechanics....this issue has developed recently - cold weather related?

Start the VW Jetta (1995) from cold....when pressing the gas pedal there is a shuddering noise coming from under the handbrake area (it seems to be coming from there)...let of the gas and it stops...press on gas and it shudders again.....so when moving off from cold strange shuddering noise....then it goes away as car warms up (say in a 3-4 miles)....able to accelerate with no problem once car is warmed up.

Anyone any idea what this could be? I need to get the car inspected before months end but it would be good to get an idea before going.....


thanks for any help.

cheers
Andy

[sparty]

Andy,

My GTI did the same thing when it got older.  The issue had me worried, but it turned out to be something simple.  There are several thin pieces of steel that cover portions of your exhaust system.  The piece that covered my catalytic convertor came loose at one of the welds.  the shuttering was worse when it was cold because of metal was "shrunken" and would rattle off of the CC.  When it warmed, the metal expanded and allowed enough room that the piece didn't hit the CC.  I think that may be you problem also.

Art

[andy750]

Thanks Art for that..... I already have the exhaust metal plate.cat converter rattle - that has been there since I got the car 21,000 miles ago (now at 121,000). This is different, you can feel it with your right hand placed on the handbrake...shudder (not a rattle) and almost grinding sound....until warms up then gone.

cheers
Andy

[sparty]

okay, then it might be this, which I also experienced.  The E-brake cable is old, and it often will not release all the way when cold (because it is stretched).  Therefore the rear pads are still in contact with the drum/disk.  The shutter will result until the pads warm and release.  I replaced the cable and greased the assembly and the shutter went away.

[andy750]

I think you may be right Art....how easy is it to change the cable and lube the assembly? And what lube should I get?

Thanks for the help with this...I just drove home and it was making that funny noise most of the way home...28F outside...brrrrr....

cheers
Andy

[Rocking-M]

hey, if it's the e-brake cable is binding your rear wheels should be noticeably  hot after driving it a while.

the son just replaced an engine in a 99 bug, same engine as the jetta (we also just did the body work on
a 95 jetta's front end) You might also check your engine mounts and constant velocity joints if it's not the brake.

Good luck.

[mrbreeze]

I haven't changed an E-brake cable in ages(I've been back in Calif. almost 5 yrs. now).Before that,Wyoming for 12 yrs............I used to do them all the time.Over time,the moisture and extreme cold work their magic.Just jack up the end where the E-brakes are.If you can't spin the wheels when outa gear,check your cables.I used to cut em off right at the backing plates with a die-grinder and the customer could drive it until we got the new cable/cables in stock(usually within a day or 2). It takes along time for them to sieze up and could be prevented by lubing but really.........how many people lube their E-brake cables? I would imagine it to be a bigger problem in states that salt the roads.

[andy750]

Thanks Rocking, Mr Breeze and Art - all great advice! Much appreciated!

cheers
Andy

[mattcb350f]

Andy, if it's anything like my VW it shakes like heck when cold and warming up. As a result, the exhaust system tends to shake quite alot too since its attached directly to the header (without a flex joint underneith).

My guess is the exhaust is thunking against the underside somewhere. I've seen it a few times where the muffler rubs againts the under body and makes a heck of a racket.

 Matt.

[Rocking-M]

Ah ha, Matt's probably on to something. I didn't realize VW left out the flex joint.
Andy, that might be something to consider adding if you find that it's the exhaust.
Not hard to do, just cut out a section and put a flex joint in.