T6 Ocean TDI 4M DSG with 3 zone AC - rattle / vibration from area behind rear near side air vents

[Gavin UB]

First of all I just want to say what a fantastic resource this forum and its members are and have been throughout our 9 and a half years ownership. I have posted very little as we don’t normally use any social media. In all that time I have never failed to find the answer to any problem, until now!

Our vehicle has developed a significant rattle and vibration that emanates from behind the air vents on the rear near side beside the C pillar. The rattle occurs on any surface that is not perfectly smooth and the rattle / resonance occurs when engine rpm is approaching 1400, especially under torque.

I am pretty certain that I have eliminated all usual causes and have had an independent VW mechanic listen who believes part of the ‘mechanism’ behind vents has become loose. I have an appointment for a trim specialist to take out the trim and casing and inspect area behind for any obvious causes.

I have found a schematic plan for area behind the C pillar but not the area behind fans. The vehicle has 3 zone air conditioning, I have been unable to establish if the fans in that area have their own motor / condenser or something else sited in that area to cause such a rattle if it has become loose. If it is only air ducting I’m not sure how it is attached behind trim but doubt that could cause the noise. Even rocking the van from side to side can cause the rattle.

If anyone can help we would be very grateful and we certainly value the knowledge, time and effort many members put into making this forum so valuable.

Very much hoping someone can help.

Many thanks.

G

 

[WelshGas]

First of all I just want to say what a fantastic resource this forum and its members are and have been throughout our 9 and a half years ownership. I have posted very little as we don’t normally use any social media. In all that time I have never failed to find the answer to any problem, until now!

Our vehicle has developed a significant rattle and vibration that emanates from behind the air vents on the rear near side beside the C pillar. The rattle occurs on any surface that is not perfectly smooth and the rattle / resonance occurs when engine rpm is approaching 1400, especially under torque.

I am pretty certain that I have eliminated all usual causes and have had an independent VW mechanic listen who believes part of the ‘mechanism’ behind vents has become loose. I have an appointment for a trim specialist to take out the trim and casing and inspect area behind for any obvious causes.

I have found a schematic plan for area behind the C pillar but not the area behind fans. The vehicle has 3 zone air conditioning, I have been unable to establish if the fans in that area have their own motor / condenser or something else sited in that area to cause such a rattle if it has become loose. If it is only air ducting I’m not sure how it is attached behind trim but doubt that could cause the noise. Even rocking the van from side to side can cause the rattle.

If anyone can help we would be very grateful and we certainly value the knowledge, time and effort many members put into making this forum so valuable.

Very much hoping someone can help.

Many thanks.

G

The T5 & 6 are the same.
There is a lot behind that trim panel.



And a video to show it being removed.

 

[Gavin UB]

The T5 & 6 are the same.
There is a lot behind that trim panel.

View attachment 137346

And a video to show it being removed.

 

[Gavin UB]

Many thanks WelshGas. You have, and despite moving on, always been a wealth of knowledge. Just between tube and train at moment but will view video later. I’ll let you know how we get on.

Very best with your new vehicle and next stage of your life.

Once again, many thanks.

Gavin

 

[Gavin UB]

Hi

Many thanks WelshGas. You have, and despite moving on, always been a wealth of knowledge. Just between tube and train at moment but will view video later. I’ll let you know how we get on.

Very best with your new vehicle and next stage of your life.

Once again, many thanks.

Gavin

Hi WelshGas,

Having watched video it sounds as though the only item behind the air vents is the AC metal ducting pipe. If a retaining clip has come loose that may account for both rattle and vibration.

For clarity it is from behind these air vents that rattle / knocking is coming from.

Many thanks.

 

[WelshGas]

Hi

Hi WelshGas,

Having watched video it sounds as though the only item behind the air vents is the AC metal ducting pipe. If a retaining clip has come loose that may account for both rattle and vibration.

For clarity it is from behind these air vents that rattle / knocking is coming from.

Many thanks.View attachment 137365

Ok. I cannot think of anything behind those vents that could such problems. But noise can be transmitted. Have you raised the roof and check all the roof fittings on that side and compare closely with the other side. Look in particular for a small piece of rubber tubing on the rear roof scissors.

 

[headsuk]

First of all I just want to say what a fantastic resource this forum and its members are and have been throughout our 9 and a half years ownership. I have posted very little as we don’t normally use any social media. In all that time I have never failed to find the answer to any problem, until now!

Our vehicle has developed a significant rattle and vibration that emanates from behind the air vents on the rear near side beside the C pillar. The rattle occurs on any surface that is not perfectly smooth and the rattle / resonance occurs when engine rpm is approaching 1400, especially under torque.

I am pretty certain that I have eliminated all usual causes and have had an independent VW mechanic listen who believes part of the ‘mechanism’ behind vents has become loose. I have an appointment for a trim specialist to take out the trim and casing and inspect area behind for any obvious causes.

I have found a schematic plan for area behind the C pillar but not the area behind fans. The vehicle has 3 zone air conditioning, I have been unable to establish if the fans in that area have their own motor / condenser or something else sited in that area to cause such a rattle if it has become loose. If it is only air ducting I’m not sure how it is attached behind trim but doubt that could cause the noise. Even rocking the van from side to side can cause the rattle.

If anyone can help we would be very grateful and we certainly value the knowledge, time and effort many members put into making this forum so valuable.

Very much hoping someone can help.

Many thanks.

G

Long shot ! Had a rattle for a while at the rear done everything possible and it drove me daft. But eventually found it, the brake shims at the rear were the culprits. When it starts to rattle push the brakes and see if it stops.

 

[Gavin UB]

Ok. I cannot think of anything behind those vents that could such problems. But noise can be transmitted. Have you raised the roof and check all the roof fittings on that side and compare closely with the other side. Look in particular for a small piece of rubber tubing on the rear roof scissors.

Had that rattle a few years ago and replaced piece of hosepipe! Current noise is apparent with roof up as well. Hoping that it is just an AC pipe attachment lug that needs tightening or reattaching? It’s definitely from that very specific area.

 

[Gavin UB]

Had that rattle a few years ago and replaced piece of hosepipe! Current noise is apparent with roof up as well. Hoping that it is just an AC pipe attachment lug that needs tightening or reattaching? It’s definitely from that very specific area.

Can anyone tell me if the rear air conditioning pipes are routed through the C or D pillars and do they then run through the roof panels and into the front through the A pillars. Just trying to gather information before deciding best course of action in resolving rattle / vibration. Does anyone have a schematic diagram?

Many thanks.

 

[vbk1975]

Can anyone tell me if the rear air conditioning pipes are routed through the C or D pillars and do they then run through the roof panels and into the front through the A pillars. Just trying to gather information before deciding best course of action in resolving rattle / vibration. Does anyone have a schematic diagram?

Many thanks.

They run under the van floor, on the side door side, then up into the rear wheel arch to the rear AC unit.

I would buy a cheap Flexible camera / endoscope that connects to a phone, I bought one from tool station for ~£20 a few years ago. Then feed the endoscope in from the top of the wardrobe where there is a gap and see behind the ducts.

 

[Gavin UB]

They run under the van floor, on the side door side, then up into the rear wheel arch to the rear AC unit.

I would buy a cheap Flexible camera / endoscope that connects to a phone, I bought one from tool station for ~£20 a few years ago. Then feed the endoscope in from the top of the wardrobe where there is a gap and see behind the ducts.

Great idea, thank you. Only potential gap I can see is at top of rear cupboard above gas / water tanks. Is this the gap or am I missing something?

 

[vbk1975]

Great idea, thank you. Only potential gap I can see is at top of rear cupboard above gas / water tanks. Is this the gap or am I missing something?

You might be correct, I have definitely routed a thick rear view camera wire front to back and it pops out in the rear compartment but I did think there was a little access from the wardrobe, but I am probably mistaken. I still think you can you use an endoscope from the rear. We are in the van, so if I get time later I will give it a go.

 

[Perfectos]

Could it possibly be the pull down blind
If you partially close the blind does the sound persist

 

[Gavin UB]

Could it possibly be the pull down blind
If you partially close the blind does the sound persist

Eliminated that rattle as well!

 

[vbk1975]

Eliminated that rattle as well!

So, after a bit of playing about with my very cheap endoscope, I can confirm it is very basic and poor. (although it did what I needed when I bought it)

Looking from rear of van, very little of note. Foam block and the when you get to vent mechanisms, they have a wire rope cable that must take the knob rotation and use it to control the vent.

Otherwise there is the cable for the overhead lights.

To be honest, the image was so poor that I don’t think I am helping.

A

 

[Gavin UB]

So, after a bit of playing about with my very cheap endoscope, I can confirm it is very basic and poor. (although it did what I needed when I bought it)

Looking from rear of van, very little of note. Foam block and the when you get to vent mechanisms, they have a wire rope cable that must take the knob rotation and use it to control the vent.

Otherwise there is the cable for the overhead lights.

To be honest, the image was so poor that I don’t think I am helping.

A

Thank you very much for time and effort. There are some £20 endescopes with rave reviews so might have a go. Will be useful to have anyway!

 

[TripleBee]

Hi

Hi WelshGas,

Having watched video it sounds as though the only item behind the air vents is the AC metal ducting pipe. If a retaining clip has come loose that may account for both rattle and vibration.

For clarity it is from behind these air vents that rattle / knocking is coming from.

Many thanks.

I maybe have the same problem.
If I push the red dots, it's like that trim is sticking to the black air vent canal behind it.
When taking a turn to the right, when the cuboard vibrates against the grey trim, it makes a rattling noise.
I have tried to spray some WD40 between the two trims, but it doesn't help. The one thing I could do is remove the complete kitchenette with cupboard to try to take the grey trim out and find out what causes the rattling. But I don't really want to do that. Not in my van at least.
Anyone has the same problem?

 

[Gavin UB]

I maybe have the same problem.
If I push the red dots, it's like that trim is sticking to the black air vent canal behind it.
When taking a turn to the right, when the cuboard vibrates against the grey trim, it makes a rattling noise.
I have tried to spray some WD40 between the two trims, but it doesn't help. The one thing I could do is remove the complete kitchenette with cupboard to try to take the grey trim out and find out what causes the rattling. But I don't really want to do that. Not in my van at least.
Anyone has the same problem?

That’s the dilemma! Want to eliminate rattle / vibration but with minimal intrusive action as likely to bring additional problems.

Still keen to better understand configuration of AC pipes in that area.

 

[flying banana]

behind that air vent is some screws. they are crap at tightening up. i've had all that apart. pop the vents out with a trim tool,comes out easy.and have a feel around for one of the screws. its probably fell out and rattling around in the ducting. sometimes popping out the lights you can retrieve them too.they are black pointy screws. i fitted normal none pointy set screws and they tightened up alot better.

 

[TripleBee]

behind that air vent is some screws. they are crap at tightening up. i've had all that apart. pop the vents out with a trim tool,comes out easy.and have a feel around for one of the screws. its probably fell out and rattling around in the ducting. sometimes popping out the lights you can retrieve them too.they are black pointy screws. i fitted normal none pointy set screws and they tightened up alot better.

Not on mine.
The screw is still there, and loosening or tightening doesn't work for me.
It's like the outer and inner trim are sticking to each other making the rattling sound.

 

[Mike Sutcliffe]

First of all I just want to say what a fantastic resource this forum and its members are and have been throughout our 9 and a half years ownership. I have posted very little as we don’t normally use any social media. In all that time I have never failed to find the answer to any problem, until now!

Our vehicle has developed a significant rattle and vibration that emanates from behind the air vents on the rear near side beside the C pillar. The rattle occurs on any surface that is not perfectly smooth and the rattle / resonance occurs when engine rpm is approaching 1400, especially under torque.

I am pretty certain that I have eliminated all usual causes and have had an independent VW mechanic listen who believes part of the ‘mechanism’ behind vents has become loose. I have an appointment for a trim specialist to take out the trim and casing and inspect area behind for any obvious causes.

I have found a schematic plan for area behind the C pillar but not the area behind fans. The vehicle has 3 zone air conditioning, I have been unable to establish if the fans in that area have their own motor / condenser or something else sited in that area to cause such a rattle if it has become loose. If it is only air ducting I’m not sure how it is attached behind trim but doubt that could cause the noise. Even rocking the van from side to side can cause the rattle.

If anyone can help we would be very grateful and we certainly value the knowledge, time and effort many members put into making this forum so valuable.

Very much hoping someone can help.

Many thanks.

G

Hi Gavin. This is very much a long shot but could it be from inside the awning? I’ve had an annoying rattle for ages and only just resolved it after winding the awning out and moving a sliding spacer plus realigned the rubber connector on top.

 

[Gavin UB]

Hi Gavin. This is very much a long shot but could it be from inside the awning? I’ve had an annoying rattle for ages and only just resolved it after winding the awning out and moving a sliding spacer plus realigned the rubber connector on top.

behind that air vent is some screws. they are crap at tightening up. i've had all that apart. pop the vents out with a trim tool,comes out easy.and have a feel around for one of the screws. its probably fell out and rattling around in the ducting. sometimes popping out the lights you can retrieve them too.they are black pointy screws. i fitted normal none pointy set screws and they tightened up alot better.

What are the screws designed to keep secure? The rattle / vibration is probably too loud for a screw but might be whatever is now loose due to screw coming out?

Many thanks for advice.

 

[Gavin UB]

Hi Gavin. This is very much a long shot but could it be from inside the awning? I’ve had an annoying rattle for ages and only just resolved it after winding the awning out and moving a sliding spacer plus realigned the rubber connector on top.

Unfortunately wrong side for awning rattle and now quite adept at resolving / preventing that particular rattle!

 

[WelshGas]

Unfortunately wrong side for awning rattle and now quite adept at resolving / preventing that particular rattle!

The vent panel is just a push fit. Use a trim tool to just ease it out and have a look.
Or remove kitchen light, also a push fit .

 

[Gavin UB]

The vent panel is just a push fit. Use a trim tool to just ease it out and have a look.
Or remove kitchen light, also a push fit .

Thank you, will buy some trim tools and have a go.