Engine rattle on start-up

[RUM4MO]

I don't know about VX engines, but Fords peppy 3 pot engines do seem to be going POP a bit.

[vuzamanzi]

Well, whaddayaknow, there is a recall, 15H1. The VW version looks like 15H2. It says here that the actuator pulley can break (does the actuator really have a pulley), or that the actuator housing bolts can come loose. This can lead to an oil leak, which is the legal department reason for the recall, because an oil leak would mean a safety risk for following traffic. This recall has been around for a year, only just got the letter.

I would concur that a cam blowup could lead to an oil leak, although that might be the least of your worries.

My engine is running as sweetly as ever after the surgery, see above.

[RUM4MO]

There is a solenoid valve that controls the engine pressurised lubricating oil supply to the variable inlet cam shaft pulley, this oil is used to change the pulley timing, so that means that the outer section of that pulley that can be moved with respect to the inner, is moved by this pressurised oil supply.
The movable section of this pulley is bolted to the fixed section of this pulley by a series of cap head bolts - and it is them that can slacken off and then oil gets forced out of the space created and then it can age/destroy the cam belt as well as allow the engine's lubricating oil to escape and so threaten the lose of proper engine lubrication over time.

I have read that typically the driver will become aware of an extra engine noise so should take action then and if this is done, other than needing a new later design pulley and cam belt and a general area clean up of engine oil, then topped up again with engine oil - everything is now returned to being fit for purpose.

It is shocking that all affected cars were not being recalled years ago.