Odd ticking noise after mod and filter changes...

**Slow4** · 05-23-2008 07:14 PM

Just finished my Darintake mod, changed oil filter, air filter and cabin filter. Started up the car and this weird louder tick comes into play...I've heard it before but it isn't usually this noticeable.

Here is where the noise is originating from this general area:

1. What is mechanism? And what does it do? The only thing that I can gather is that it pumps air into something.

2. Is it replaceable?

Also, another thing I heard was this weird dripping-like noise coming from the driver side wheel well area. I checked around the area but no leak is seen or felt.

**Slow4** · 05-24-2008 07:15 AM

Found what it IS but still not sure if its acting like it should.

The part in particular is the:

EVAP canister purge regulator valve -N80-

...but is it suppose to go TICK TICK TICK TICK really loudly?

**Audi_S4** · 05-24-2008 08:44 AM

I have that too, been there since i bought te car, car runs great, doesn't burn oil, doesn't smoke or whatsoever, they told me the noise was the internal wastegate of the turbo.

is your noise gone after a good hard sprint? mine is but it comes back after a few minutes..

**Slow4** · 05-24-2008 10:33 AM

Originally Posted by Audi_S4

is your noise gone after a good hard sprint? mine is but it comes back after a few minutes..

yup. Same thing but there is a burning aroma that i smell...

**sCeRaXn** · 05-24-2008 10:56 AM

Are you sure the Evap purge is whats causing the ticking? That sensor is sorta near the injectors at the back of the engine, and injectors are known for that ticking noise. Heres something that might help. Take a long screwdriver and stick the end of it on the purge valve, and stick the handle to your ear. This will act like a stethoscope and allow you to hear exactly where the ticking is coming from. If the ticking isnt loud through the screwdriver, then start checking other parts in that general area to find the culprit. Good luck man.

BTW-The internal wastegate shouldnt make any ticking noises. The flapper, puck, and actuator shouldnt have any play in them, but the actuator rod will when the engine is off or if it isnt adjusted properly. If the rod is vibrating(ticking) when the car is on then it means the rod needs to be re-adjusted to have zero slack while under vacuum/boost.

**The_Jerbel** · 05-24-2008 11:22 AM

Originally Posted by sCeRaXn

Are you sure the Evap purge is whats causing the ticking? That sensor is sorta near the injectors at the back of the engine, and injectors are known for that ticking noise. Heres something that might help. Take a long screwdriver and stick the end of it on the purge valve, and stick the handle to your ear. This will act like a stethoscope and allow you to hear exactly where the ticking is coming from. If the ticking isnt loud through the screwdriver, then start checking other parts in that general area to find the culprit. Good luck man.

Or, if you're like me, you just use a mechanic's stethoscope

Originally Posted by sCeRaXn

BTW-The internal wastegate shouldnt make any ticking noises.

Big 2nd.

**Slow4** · 05-24-2008 11:25 AM

Originally Posted by sCeRaXn

BTW-The internal wastegate shouldnt make any ticking noises. The flapper, puck, and actuator shouldnt have any play in them, but the actuator rod will when the engine is off or if it isnt adjusted properly. If the rod is vibrating(ticking) when the car is on then it means the rod needs to be re-adjusted to have zero slack while under vacuum/boost.

The EVAP IS vibrating, or at least when I put my finger on it, it pulsates. If it is in fact "misaligned" how do I re-adjust it to have zero slack?

**The_Jerbel** · 05-24-2008 11:31 AM

There are a couple of nuts on the wastegate actuator rod you can adjust, but forget about that, it's highly unlikely that that's your problem.

The EVAP purge valve is supposed to pulsate, but not click. If it's clicking you may need to replace that bugger.

**Slow4** · 05-24-2008 11:39 AM

Originally Posted by The_Jerbel

There are a couple of nuts on the wastegate actuator rod you can adjust, but forget about that, it's highly unlikely that that's your problem.

The EVAP purge valve is supposed to pulsate, but not click. If it's clicking you may need to replace that bugger.

Hm...I think I might have to evaluate the difference between a pulsating feeling and a clicking noise. I'm quite certain its in that general area though. Would anyone know what brought this issue on? Was it because of my Darintake mod, more airflow?

**The_Jerbel** · 05-24-2008 11:50 AM

Could be that your injectors are being maxed out because of the greater airflow. I doubt it though. There's only one way to find out. Log your airflow and your injector on time and duty cycle.

**sCeRaXn** · 05-24-2008 11:56 AM

Originally Posted by Slow4

The EVAP IS vibrating, or at least when I put my finger on it, it pulsates. If it is in fact "misaligned" how do I re-adjust it to have zero slack?

I was talking about the wastegate actuator, but as Jordan said this probably isnt the problem. From my knowledge, the Evap shouldnt pulsate or tick. It should only open when needed and stay closed when not needed. The only reason it would be pulsating is if it was trying to open but couldnt for some reason, causing it to cycle and vibrate. It could be different on the s4 however, but most cars ive worked on are like this.

Could the vibration you feel be normal vibration from the engine, or is it noticeably different than engine vibration? Have you tried the ghetto stethoscope method i described earlier? This really is a good way to figure out the culprit of most ticks you get in the engine bay.

**Audi_S4** · 05-24-2008 05:53 PM

Originally Posted by sCeRaXn

Are you sure the Evap purge is whats causing the ticking? That sensor is sorta near the injectors at the back of the engine, and injectors are known for that ticking noise. Heres something that might help. Take a long screwdriver and stick the end of it on the purge valve, and stick the handle to your ear. This will act like a stethoscope and allow you to hear exactly where the ticking is coming from. If the ticking isnt loud through the screwdriver, then start checking other parts in that general area to find the culprit. Good luck man.

BTW-The internal wastegate shouldnt make any ticking noises. The flapper, puck, and actuator shouldnt have any play in them, but the actuator rod will when the engine is off or if it isnt adjusted properly. If the rod is vibrating(ticking) when the car is on then it means the rod needs to be re-adjusted to have zero slack while under vacuum/boost.

what do you mean by this???

when I start the engine it makes this sound, it's a loud ticking sound , coming from the area slow4 pointed!
when I drive hard and everything is hot then it's gone , but it vibrates, and it comes from the turbo, the place that tuned my car said it was the internal wastegate of the passenger turbo that makes the sound. it only does it on the left side

when I idle the car up in rpm it's gone and when I let go off the gas it resonates like somekind of spring that tingles, it's been doing this for 10.000km's , it does not get worse or better , not even after chip and exhaust, also my car runs great and boosts properly like it should.

no garage can help me, my mechanic were i bought it doesn't know what it is , the only one that could give me an explanation was the guy who chipped my car...

**sCeRaXn** · 05-24-2008 06:57 PM

When vac/boost is applied to the actuator there shouldnt be anything that can rattle like that. The actuator bracket could be loose, but other than that i would look elsewhere for the problem. Maybe check all the heatshield bolts to make sure theyre tight. Sorry i couldnt be of more help.