hi list,

I'm wondering why my engine seems to sound radically different from time to time, without any seeming provocation?  Usually it sounds like a normal engine, or what I consider a normal, fairly modern engine to sound like, that is, kind of an even hum, not too too much muffler sound, not too much klanging.  Then, every couple of days, out of the blue, I start it up, and it has an intense metallic clanging sound, a sound that I associate more with 'tired' engines, or less-modern engines, like the air cooled type 2s.  It honestly sounds like some sort of metal on metal clanging.  I've mentioned this to my roomate, and he seems to think its just normal variation, in response to environment, like weather, atmosphere pressure, etc.  Also, he doesnt think the clanging sound is metal on metal, but rather how the exhaust is sounding at the moment.  Any thoughts?  Has anybody else noticed such a variation in how their engine sounds?

thanks,
steve(me) & buster(vw)

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