Rattling/knoking Noise During Acceleration

Does any body know what might be causing a rattling/knocking noise during acceleration on second, third and forth gear. It only occurs during the beginning of acceleration of each gear. I hear the noise again if I accelerate hard in fifth gear. I took it to the dealer and asked if they can diagnose the noise. After test drove my car, they couldn’t ID the problem. They told me that they will need to look at the car longer. But, the problem was they were going to charge by the hour, regardless if they find the problem or not. I need someone else’s experience or advise before I jump into the deep-end $$$$ with the Dealer.

Info about my car: 2000 Jetta/GLX VR6. It has approximately 115,000 mile on the engine. Well maintained with the dealer. All warranty issues have been addressed. But, I haven't replaced my clutch yet. I'm not sure if the noise I mention above might be related to my original clutch not being change yet.


Thanks
Jet707-

What I am dealing with right now sounds familiar.
I have VR6 jetta '97 with 100K and local auto service dignosted timing chains to be loose. It's not a cheap repair.
In my case the rattle happens also when I eccelerate around 1500 rpms
without gear in.
The only thing which makes me belive that your problem is something else is that VW would have probably noticed that.
Take care
Kris

What I am dealing with right now sounds familiar.
I have VR6 jetta '97 with 100K and local auto service dignosted timing chains to be loose. It's not a cheap repair.
In my case the rattle happens also when I eccelerate around 1500 rpms
without gear in.
The only thing which makes me belive that your problem is something else is that VW would have probably noticed that.
Take care
Kris

I found a remedy on another forum site. Apperently another VW jetta VR6 owner had a similar problem. It turnout to be a "Shifter Rod" problem. No, it has nothing to do with you gears or transmission. The part is located inside the front of your intake manifold. I don't know if your 97 VR6 is the same layout as my 2000 VR6. According to alot of forumers you can install the part yourself and save lots and lots of $$$$$$. BTW there is another name for this intake manifold shifter rod, according to VW Service Manual (BIG RED BOOK), the part is call "Intake maifold rotary chang-over valve".
Just incase the dealer pretends to not understand what your asking for........

Good Luck----------

I have a mkIII 2.0 that rattles sometimes when i accelerate. BUT it also just does it when i rev the engine, just rpms going up. Same thing for you?

RE:

Hello Nicoleos,

The rattling noise accured during acceleration between 1st and 4th gears. The noise would go away after the inicial acceleration. The problem with you V6 might not be you intake manifold "Shifter Rod", your problem might be caused by a loose exhaust heat shield located close to your engine.

Let me know if you find it...

Check the heat shields behind the engine. That was the rattle on my car. They were cracked so I just took em off and the sound was gone.