# 2002 VW New Beetle TDI engine noise **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** beetle, noises, engines\ **Created:** [May 1, 2009, 11:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-vw-new-beetle-tdi-engine-noise/29872 "2009-05-01T23:36:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Linda\_Jantzen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e8c25b/32.png) [@Linda\_Jantzen](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Linda_Jantzen)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2009, 11:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-vw-new-beetle-tdi-engine-noise/29872/1 "2009-05-01T23:36:53Z")
I know,I should have bought a sensible Toyota but the Bug is so cute…Until I found out it costs $90 to replace a headlight. Anyway, I have recently begun to experience excessive engine noise and vibration while driving. Inexplicably, it goes away when my wheels are turned to the right. A hard right isn’t necessary, just a slight 5 degree bend will almost eliminate the noise. What could be the cause? And how many thousands of dollars will it cost to repair? The car is an automatic with about 101K miles. ---
**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2009, 12:37am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-vw-new-beetle-tdi-engine-noise/29872/2 "2009-05-02T00:37:52Z")
Yea, I had mine done by the dealer, it was worth it for the convenience and avoiding trying to do it myself. I started it and it was a lot harder than it looked and harder than I was told it was. In theory it is not all that bad, but in practice trying to remove the housing without breaking it, seems to be a real challenge. I think I will turn it over to my local TDI man next time. ---
**Author:** ![FoDaddy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/fodaddy/32/717_2.png) [@FoDaddy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/FoDaddy)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2009, 12:58am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-vw-new-beetle-tdi-engine-noise/29872/3 "2009-05-02T00:58:20Z")
$90 for a headlight is dirt cheap, especailly for an import. I would love to see your reaction if your car had been equipped with HIDs. ---
**Author:** ![silvergc1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6f9a4e/32.png) [@silvergc1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/silvergc1)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2009, 3:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-vw-new-beetle-tdi-engine-noise/29872/4 "2009-05-04T15:53:44Z")
Sure doesn’t sound like an engine problem to me. This engine is very reliable (except for the glow-plug wire harness). But, what you described sounds more like something is rubbing a tire and making the noise/vibration (or possibly a bad cv joint). Get an experienced VW mechanic to look at it. ---
**Author:** ![Linda\_Jantzen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e8c25b/32.png) [@Linda\_Jantzen](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Linda_Jantzen)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2009, 1:04am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-vw-new-beetle-tdi-engine-noise/29872/5 "2009-05-07T01:04:46Z")
Well, after doing some research I determined what was wrong with my car. (To Joseph and FoDaddy, you have a short attention span! The headlight wasn’t the point of my post!) Anyway, the slight turn of the steering wheel to the right was a huge clue. After extensive research, I determined that the problem was the bearings on the left side, probably front. You see, when you turn the wheel to the right, it takes the pressure off the left bearings, thus the elimination of the noise. My diagnosis was confirmed at the local shop and repaired for about 265 bucks. I am woman, hear me roar!! Bravo! ---
**Author:** ![Triedaq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@Triedaq](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Triedaq)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2009, 1:50am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-vw-new-beetle-tdi-engine-noise/29872/6 "2009-05-07T01:50:41Z")
You must be a teacher who makes up her own multiple choice tests. You threw the headlight in for a distractor, just as one puts in one or two of the multiple choice responses as a distractor. We’ll be ready for your next quiz. ---
**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2009, 10:44am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-vw-new-beetle-tdi-engine-noise/29872/7 "2009-05-07T10:44:42Z")
(To Joseph and FoDaddy, you have a short attention span! The headlight wasn’t the point of my post!) That’s true … What were we talking about again?? ---
**Author:** ![Loafer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/loafer/32/28_2.png) [@Loafer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Loafer)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2009, 12:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-vw-new-beetle-tdi-engine-noise/29872/8 "2009-05-07T12:28:56Z")
I just bought a new halogen headlight for my K5 - $9.00 🙂 I wouldn’t call $90 dirt cheap.