Help me diagnose engine ticking AFTER warmed up

**Apat** · 10-06-2011 10:09 AM

I know there's a lot of cold start up timing chain threads out there. This isn't one of them. I'm asking for opinions on what you guys think this sound is a symptom of before I have my independent shop tackle it. I have a 3rd party extended warranty but still need to check on exactly what engine components are covered(guides, adjusters, etc).

Relevant Information:

-2005.5 MT S4 w/ 74k mi
-Oil Change done 500 mi ago. Motul 300v. Engine smoother but no change in ticking at warm idle. Was hoping it would help.
-Burns 1qt oil every 2.5k mi
-Coils/plugs changed 1k mi ago
-Engine runs well. No codes at all (I have a VAG-COM cable)
-Power feels on point

Symptoms:

At start up I have the typical chain/guide noise for .25-.5 sec. Not an issue. Engine idles with no ticking/slapping when the engine is cold. When the coolant temp gauge approaches normal operating temp the ticking/slapping sound starts. Can only be heard from at idle with windows down......and again only when warmed up.

Idle right after starting car in am: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sY12Bx0Fk-c

Idle after car is driven 30min: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivCf0iAt9ow

Engine rev after car has been driven 30min: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9v9_jLjHqI

Your input is appreciated. Thanks fellas.

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RESOLVED 10/28/11
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I took the car to Maplewood Audi in the Twin Cities area a week ago and one of the mechanics recognized the noise and said he was 99.9% sure it was a broken timing chain adjuster. So even though I'm covered under a Zurich extended warranty I had to authorize the removal and tear down of my engine. After completing the tear down they confirmed I did indeed have a broken timing chain adjuster. An inspector from Zurich came out and looked at the car to make sure it didn't have abnormal oil sludge buildup, a tuned ecu, supercharger, etc. (They don't like any aftermarket additions but they have to prove the additions caused the problem). Luckily the PO had gotten every service done on time and at Maplewood. He confirmed the broken adjuster but wanted the engine torn down further. This made me a little nervous. 2 days passed and I literally got a call 30 minutes ago from my service adviser telling me Zurich had approved the replacement of ALL guides, adjusters and timing chains!

So, I'm a very happy man right now. Can't wait to get my ride back in a week. The B8 A4 loaner is a nice car but its definitely not as fun to drive.

I hope this gives some insight to people wondering about aftermarket warranties and the process involved in getting a large claim processed. I would have to recommend Zurich to anyone looking at 3rd party warranties after this experience with them. They're paying a $7K+ bill on a car with less than 500 miles left on the contract.

**NJBLKB6** · 10-06-2011 01:33 PM

Is it worse under a load?

**B6JoeS4** · 10-06-2011 01:47 PM

You have the LWFW.......mine does the same thing at idle. It didn't always do it and it does it more when the engine is warm. Just the nature of a LWFW. Put the clutch in and the sound will go away

**Apat** · 10-06-2011 02:08 PM

Originally Posted by NJBLKB6

Is it worse under a load?

I don't hear it when I'm not at idle. Honestly didn't know tapping/ticking was occurring above idle until I took that 3rd video today. I did have a friend do some drive byes the other day(new exhaust...sound was there b4 instal) and the car sounds absolutely normal.

Originally Posted by B6JoeS4

You have the LWFW.......mine does the same thing at idle. It didn't always do it and it does it more when the engine is warm. Just the nature of a LWFW. Put the clutch in and the sound will go away

I wish that was it but the sound was there before the clutch/LWFW install and the clutch pedal doesn't have any effect on the sound.

**B6JoeS4** · 10-06-2011 02:31 PM

Hmmmm. Can you locate the general area the sound is coming from. Right/left/bottom/etc.

**dparm** · 10-06-2011 02:36 PM

Ticking could be vacuum and/or exhaust leak. Try to isolate the location.

If you are stationary, in neutral, and rev the motor, do you hear it?

What about if you are stationary, IN GEAR (clutch in of course), and rev the motor?

Or is it only while the car is rolling?

**NJBLKB6** · 10-06-2011 02:42 PM

Originally Posted by dparm

Ticking could be vacuum and/or exhaust leak. Try to isolate the location.

If you are stationary, in neutral, and rev the motor, do you hear it?

What about if you are stationary, IN GEAR (clutch in of course), and rev the motor?

Or is it only while the car is rolling?

I was going to suggest vacuum or exhaust leak too. Kinda sounds like one. It's the reason i asked if it was worse under a load.

**Apat** · 10-06-2011 04:40 PM

Its definitely louder on the drivers side of the car. I cant tell if its coming from under the valve covers or lower down on the engine. I'll get out the redneck stethoscope tomorrow am. It sounds like an impact not so much a leak of any sort if that makes sense. Makes the noice whether the car is moving, stopped, in or out of gear when the engine is at idle speed.

Today while making a trip to a bank thats quite close from where I work i was in line with a wall to my left. I could actually hear the noise start to develop the more the car warmed up. At first its a random tick......a few seconds......tick.....5 seconds.....tick....... 2 sec..... etc. When the car finally gets warm its rhythmic like in the second 2 videos I linked to in the first post. Related to the oil warming up and getting thinner?

I've searched the net quite a bit and can't find the same symptoms.

**dparm** · 10-06-2011 05:03 PM

Doubtful that it's related to the oil thinning. If anything, engines are noisier when the motor is cold.

**Apat** · 10-06-2011 05:09 PM

Originally Posted by dparm

Doubtful that it's related to the oil thinning. If anything, engines are noisier when the motor is cold.

Thats what I was thinking as far as the cold engine usually making more noise. Thats whats kept me thinking its not the dreaded tensioners.

You might be right about a disconnected line guys. I realize this is a different engine but I just found this thread. http://forums.audiworld.com/showthread.php?p=23932994. Sounds like the same symptoms. I'm going to follow every damn line under the hood tomorrow morning. If I find anything I'll report back.

**dparm** · 10-06-2011 06:53 PM

Is it 300V 5w30 or 5w40?

**Apat** · 10-06-2011 08:19 PM

Originally Posted by dparm

Is it 300V 5w30 or 5w40?

5w40..... Noise was present previous to the recent oil change

**dparm** · 10-06-2011 09:19 PM

The 5w40 is a very thick oil, more on par with a 50-weight. It's not oil related.

**Apat** · 10-07-2011 07:33 AM

No luck on finding any vac line leaks. The sound is coming from directly under the oil filter housing....not good. Is there any possibility the oil pump is starting to go out with no low oil or pressure warning lights? I was under the car a couple weeks ago while it was running and could hear the oil pump. It didn't seen abnormally loud but I could definitely hear it. Thinking of dropping the oil pan to look for sludge but the car has fresh expensive ass oil in it dangit.....Oil level is perfect BTW. This sucks

**dparm** · 10-07-2011 07:43 AM

You can manually hook up an oil pressure gauge.

I would take it to the dealer, to be frank. Pay the diagnostic fee and let them figure it out. You can do the repairs yourself or find an indy shop.

**Apat** · 10-07-2011 07:51 AM

Yeah, its probably that time. Gonna call up my 3rd party warranty company and see WTF is covered. If it isn't covered I'll try to extend the warranty and drive the hell out of it until something really fails.

Thanks for the input guys