Cold Startup Ringing/Rattling Noise - Sticky!

[PNW Avant]

2004, 34,500miles, extremely well maintained.

Loud rough sound at cold start up (morning before work) for about .5 seconds. If i blip the starter a few times before I let it fire up, the sound is not as bad and sometimes is gone. It does not do this when its warm.

[Naudi04]

2004, 34,500miles, extremely well maintained.

Loud rough sound at cold start up (morning before work) for about .5 seconds. If i blip the starter a few times before I let it fire up, the sound is not as bad and sometimes is gone. It does not do this when its warm.

What does "blip the starter" mean? Sorry not familiar with that term.

Thanks!

[jdalu]

'05 S4 71,500 miles.

Just was in for a service that replaced the engine coils (recall) and some other minor items and asked about this 1-3 second rattle issue. Definitely never noticed it when not cold weather (sub 40degF). In the cold I've heard it more than a few times- unnerving. For the record, I learned more reading this thread than my service dept knew (or cared to share) about the cause.

I'll go with the crowd and hope there is no long term wear repercussion.

[AndyGs4]

May want to check out this page, and scroll down a bit.

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...=340955&page=2

In short, I just lost a motor and the only symptom preceding the failure was a rattle at cold start. My opinion on this issue after the last week is simply this:

The rattle may or may not lead to failure, but it is a sign of wear, and may aggravate other issues.

cheers,

[Naudi04]

'05 S4 71,500 miles.

Just was in for a service that replaced the engine coils (recall) and some other minor items and asked about this 1-3 second rattle issue. Definitely never noticed it when not cold weather (sub 40degF). In the cold I've heard it more than a few times- unnerving. For the record, learned more reading this thread than my service dept knew (or cared to share) about the cause.

I'll go with the crowd and hope there is no long term wear repercussion.

Thanks for thumbs up on this thread!

Oh yeah, not like most of you need video to nod a yes to this rattle noise, but I did get video of this on startup the other day. I was inside the car, I'll try to get this posted as soon as I can. Maybe it will just solidify those who are unsure about the noise.

[PNW Avant]

What does "blip the starter" mean? Sorry not familiar with that term.

Thanks!

Turn the starter so that it cranks but pull it back right before the car actually starts. This builds oil pressure.

But I am absolutely positive this isnt great for the starter motor either so I don't do it often. Just to see if it gets rid of the noise. My noise is not bad at all though. Just sounds a little raw at cold start for ~.5 seconds.

[Naudi04]

2007 S4 16,500 miles. No noise... knock on wood.

Vids yet to see what it sounds like?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-RIEQHCKts

[B6_Rakete]

For what it's worth, my car was making this noise before my last oil change 600 miles ago. Now, even after sitting for a whole weekend, I don't hear the same sound. I wonder if issue is exacerbated by a slight change in oil weight...

[Naudi04]

For what it's worth, my car was making this noise before my last oil change 600 miles ago. Now, even after sitting for a whole weekend, I don't hear the same sound. I wonder if issue is exacerbated by a slight change in oil weight...

I was actually curious if anyone was running synthetic Lucas oil stabilizer?

Maybe the thickness of this stabilizer would quiet down this issue by keeping it lubed better. I ran Lucas in my VR6 with 5w/30 Mobil 1, engine purred.

Just curious...

http://www.lucasoil.com/products/dis...tid=2&loc=show

[PSYC0TIC ONE]

2004 S4 70K, yes makes the sound

my car does it after sitting for a few hours... it happens MOST of the time but, sometimes, after sitting for a day or two it doesn't make the sound... i should also mention that i live in Hawaii, and even early in the morning it is very rarely less than 70 degrees and i still hear the sound...

just curious as to what oil (weight/brand) you guys would recommend for me living out here in a tropical climate... time is approaching to do an oil change/tire rotation and want to hear from the "pros" on oil recommendations... i usually had it serviced for an oil change at the dealer here because i didn't have the required tools but, now i has them and ready to get my hands just as dirty on the B6 as they were with my B5, which i miss very much by the way :(

[ess_four]

2003 B6 (BBK) 63K - Yes

[raimsb6]

2003 (2004 model year) B6 S4 68k - Yes

[RBSileighty]

05 75k mi B6 S4 Avant - Yes, but very short and only on first startup of the day and not every day (Only had the car in a very cold winter so far and running fresh 0W40 Mobil 1)

[PNW Avant]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-RIEQHCKts

Yup. Mine sounds like that but not as bad.

[PSYC0TIC ONE]

Yup. Mine sounds like that but not as bad.

I didn't even hear it, lol

[jdparkes]

2004 S4 42k - With start up noise

[carpediem1230]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-RIEQHCKts

Thanks for that. As someone mentioned it is a bit hard to hear, but after listening a few times, it sounds like there is something there in addition the to the normal loud start up.

I definitely don't have that sound, but I do hear something which seems to sound like fluids circulating about 1 or 2 seconds after start up. Not sure what that sound is exactly, but it's not the clanging like in the vid.

[madmax]

New member here, bought an 2004 S4 last week.
67k miles and YES I get the noise in the early morning start in cold weather. Just as someone commented on the vid, sounds like a tractor.

[amoujaffar]

new owner. 91K, rattles like hell for 2-3 seconds then its fine.

[Shu]

2005 S4 75K rattle for 1 second or so

[ruskii]

I have experience with this problem and have fixed it. I own a 2004 S4, it started to rattle pretty loud in the winter (cold here in Utah). Like previously said, the hypothesis is that its from the cam chain tensioners loosing oil pressure. Personally i think there might be a little more to it than that, maybe the mechanical springs in the tensioners wearing out. Anyways, my car had a major issue, the cam timing adjuster failed. This piece is what provides variable intake timing. It’s a big round piece that sits on the end of the cam (chain side). Inside of it, there is a pin that keeps it a certain position, when oil pressure pushes on that pin it allows the piece to rotate and change the cam timing. The pin wears out the metal around it and eventually it wont stay in place, that is what happened on my car. I took the motor out and replaced the cam timing piece and since I had it all apart I replaced the chain tensioners. There are four chains, so there are four tensioners, but I only replaced the cam ones. After I put everything back together the car doesn’t rattle anymore. I don’t think the rattling is related to the cam adjuster at all. It cost about $1500 dollars in parts to fix (at dealer cost), plus you need 3 special audi tools.

My friends 2004 S4 has 80k miles and rattles. The exact same problem happened with his car. Even the same side adjuster (passenger side), we replaced his tensioners while we were at it and the car doesn’t rattle anymore either.

If you want to fix the rattling issue, you need to pull the motor and replace both tensioners. If anyone is near SLC, UT I would be happy to do this anyones car for a fraction of what the dealer would charge. It would be about $700 in parts, and it would take me 2 days to complete.

[JRM]

Yup, cold start rattle here too. '05 with 65k miles

[93hrdtptt]

Yessir...2004 S4, started last year 60k miles..car just hit 80k, hear it every morning 1.5 seconds, dealer also told me it was a normal sound and not to be concerned.

[ruskii]

The fact that the dealers are saying it's a normal sound is ridiculous! How could it be normal when something is worn out and not functioning like it should. There is a difference between normal and common. Its a bummer when you buy a car for 20k and it rattles everytime you start it.

The issue that worries me, is by looking at variable intake cam adjuster I can see a possible cause being the chain tensioners. If they don't keep enough tension on the chain, there is slop that causes shock to parts. So there might be more to it than just an annoying noise. I could be wrong and overthinking it, hopefully I am.

[tylerS]

the sky is falling!!!!

[AndyGs4]

Anyways, my car had a major issue, the cam timing adjuster failed. This piece is what provides variable intake timing. It’s a big round piece that sits on the end of the cam (chain side). Inside of it, there is a pin that keeps it a certain position, when oil pressure pushes on that pin it allows the piece to rotate and change the cam timing. The pin wears out the metal around it and eventually it wont stay in place, that is what happened on my car. I took the motor out and replaced the cam timing piece

This is exactly what happened on my car, and the result was a valve getting dropped into cylinder #4. So my car is getting a new engine put in this week. I hope to get it back next week. I am also having a JHM LW clutch (B7 style), and a LW pulley as well as several other engine components (belt, coilpacks ect...)being replaced at the same time.

I am in SLC as well, and I live in a condo nowadays so working on my own car is a no-go....I may PM you in the future for header install help if you are up for it!

[ruskii]

This is exactly what happened on my car, and the result was a valve getting dropped into cylinder #4. So my car is getting a new engine put in this week. I hope to get it back next week. I am also having a JHM LW clutch (B7 style), and a LW pulley as well as several other engine components (belt, coilpacks ect...)being replaced at the same time.

I am in SLC as well, and I live in a condo nowadays so working on my own car is a no-go....I may PM you in the future for header install help if you are up for it!

Bummer, well at least now you should have a better running car. Yeah if you need any Audi work PM me, I have a shop in North SLC.

[lagadula]

I bought S4 avant 2003 , 2 weeks ago. 139.800 km = 87000 miles. I have rattle sound on cold and warm startup. But not always.

[B00sted20VUSP]

2005.5 B7 S4 - NO noise. 50,126 miles

[AudiPWR]

04 S4, 50100 miles and yes, been doing it since i had it at 42000 miles.

[lagadula]

I have info from my friend, from Auid dealership, that sound is from timing adjuster, and till its not making hard nosie (dont know what dose it mean) You dont nead to replace them.
We will try to do it, and put new one for a test, so I'll inform You all what was the result.

Who has 'sound" on hot / warm engine, after, lets say, one hour of sitting ?

[04v8s4]

I have a 2004 with 52k miles on it. I hardly ever heard this noise when I bought the car (38k). Now I hear a loud rattling for 1-2 seconds EVERY time i start the car with a cold engine.

Just waiting for something catastrophic to happen...then i'll be getting a new motor under warranty. Ticking time bomb.

What a rediculous mess this is. There's no point to even mention this to my dealership right now. They will tell me they either can't replicate the noise or it's perfectly normal.

[AndyGs4]

Just waiting for something catastrophic to happen..

I wouldn't sweat it too much. It would seem many, many, many S4 V8s do this above 50K. A select few actually have a catastrophic problem. Mine was one of them. But to be fair, the "rattle" wasn't the cause of the failure. It may have contributed I guess, but my cam tensioners were fine (other than the rattle at start). What failed in mine was the cam adjuster on the passenger side. That in combination with a lubrication problem is why my motor had to be replaced.

All I have to say is, regardless of what Audi says change your oil at 3K miles. These engines abuse oil. And I know that there are many oils on the Audi recommended list, but do your research and pick wisely. Perhaps search the forum to see what others choose to run, and why. A few extra bucks per change is a lot cheaper than a new long block. It would seem with aggressive service schedules (3K miles or so), these motors are bulletproof. With conservative service schedules (5-8K miles), these motors can become problematic as the mileage gets up there. At least that is my take. I'm sure driving style plays into this as well. If you live below 4K RPMs, it may not be as much of an issue vs driving it like a racecar all of the time (me).

[Fade2Black]

Rattle noise right at startup for about a second. Just started this winter. I don't heare anything when its warm.

2005 70k miles

[04v8s4]

I wouldn't sweat it too much. It would seem many, many, many S4 V8s do this above 50K. A select few actually have a catastrophic problem. Mine was one of them. But to be fair, the "rattle" wasn't the cause of the failure. It may have contributed I guess, but my cam tensioners were fine (other than the rattle at start). What failed in mine was the cam adjuster on the passenger side. That in combination with a lubrication problem is why my motor had to be replaced.

All I have to say is, regardless of what Audi says change your oil at 3K miles. These engines abuse oil. And I know that there are many oils on the Audi recommended list, but do your research and pick wisely. Perhaps search the forum to see what others choose to run, and why. A few extra bucks per change is a lot cheaper than a new long block. It would seem with aggressive service schedules (3K miles or so), these motors are bulletproof. With conservative service schedules (5-8K miles), these motors can become problematic as the mileage gets up there. At least that is my take. I'm sure driving style plays into this as well. If you live below 4K RPMs, it may not be as much of an issue vs driving it like a racecar all of the time (me).

I agree with you completely about the oil. I think 3k is a little too early. But i have been changing my oil religiously every 5k miles with either lubromoly or pentosyth. I usually use the lubromoly, but tried the pentosyth a while back just to see if i noticed any differences (good or bad).

I generally drive my car like an old lady. I do a few "spirited" pulls here and there...but normally shift a 6500 when I do. I think i can count on one hand the times i've seen 7k on the tach.

Anyways...it's a miserable noise. I just hate that a premium sports sedan sounds like that every time i start it up. Nice work audi.

[lagadula]

Strange things are happening last days, with my S4. Its much warmer this week, around +5*C and looks like "noise" is more quiet or even gone on cold engine start....

[HamidS4]

04 S4 72,xxx miles - YES
new owner/member , just picked up this 04 S4 yesterday with 72xxx miles, I had my first cold start today, and I was expecting the engine to halt right away when I heard that loud noise ... for me the noise lasted one year !!!! I seriously can't remember how long it took for the noise to go away. :(

[FWP!]

2005 S4 46k miles YES

Don't think it's a huge deal though. Only happens if the car hasn't been driven for about a day, indicating that the chain tensioners are bleeding off some pressure. Not the end of the world.

[ess_four]

Change the oil at the weekend. Started the car up this morning and...............No rattle. Normally there is a rattle.

[LJH]

2004 S4 (Late build, 8/2004)
60K Miles

I just bought the car in late November so I have not owned the car during the warmer months. The car sits in the garage during the week and does not get used except for the weekend. I get no rattle to a fraction of a second of rattle on cold start-up Saturday morning 98% of the time. The other 2% of the time it makes a slightly louder rattle for maybe a second, this louder noise has increased a bit in the last 500 miles as I get closer to the oil change interval as well as being 3/4 of a quart low. The oil level seems to play a big roll in the sound and a little down makes a big difference. I also seem to get a louder noise after I have driven the car hard. The PO sounded like we was very religious about changing the oil with synthetic at 5K miles and I believe him after seeing the how the oil looks on the dip stick after 4200 miles. I personally do not have any concerns about the noise, it is just how the engine is designed to operate.

My $0.02

Cheers,
Jim