2 problems I need help diagnosing

[wakebdr]

My wife's 2001 Passat is having some issues I need help identifying. The first problem is a sound coming from the engine. I don't know where it's coming from, but it sounds like the noise made when you used to stick a baseball card in the spokes of you bicycle. I really only hear it when the engine is idling.

The second is a very rough idle when stopped. When stopped at a light, the engine sounds like it is going to shut off but someone keeps tapping the gas just enough to keep it going. It's never actually shut off, but it sure sounds like it will.

Anyone got any ideas on these two issues?

01 Passat with about 82k on it.

Thanks

[wakebdr]

Little more info to add about the first issue.

I'm calling it a rattle now. I observed it pretty good last night and it seems to happen up until 1200 RPM. After that mark, the engine sounds as clean as it can be with one exception. Every now and then I can hear on when it shifts gears, but only for a slight second.

I'm probably going to take it to my mechanic today.

Also got the "EMISSIONS WORKSHOP" message coming up now too. From what I've read so far, that can be anything ranging from bad catalytic converter to absolutely nothing.

[wakebdr]

Got some more info from my mechanic on this now.

They believe the knocking sound is coming from the cylinders and say they may need new lifters.

They also suggest doing the timing belt and water pump while they're in there since it hasn't been done yet.

They can't tell me what is exactly wrong with it until they open it up. They gave me a couple of quotes for the work. If they do timing belt, water pump, and all new lifters it will run around $2000. If they just do the timing belt (may not need new lifters and they may have done the water pump already...their old record were inaccessible and we couldn't remember if it had already been done) then it would be about $900.

So, worse case scenario is $2000 and best case is $900. I'm at the point where I'm saying "what next?" I mean what else is going to go wrong on this thing. It's only worth about $5k so I'm even questioning keeping it now.

Any advice or suggestions on which direction I should go?

[C.B.L. International]

I know it might be a bit late. But did you ever check to see if the engine had enough oil?

[wakebdr]

I should have posted after I got everything fixed.

It turned out to be the timing chain assembly. A piece had broken off and was causing the noise. I had that replaced, had the timing belt, water pump, and thermostat done. Not long after all that was done, I had to get an ignition coil replaced. All of the lifters were fine.

[Knock on wood] We haven't had any trouble with it since all of that.

[MachineMan]

How was your rough idle problem solved? Sounds similar to the issue I'm having posted here: http://www.vwforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=33403

[drewhms97ss]

Aren't most of these cars OHC or DOHC? In these setups the camshaft either rides direct on the valve or the rocker.