Strange sound on startup

[Tonde]

Hello! This my first post here, but I have been reading this great forum for a long time. Keep up the good work!

Now I have this question for all of you experts:

I have had several Audi's before but I’m new with the 3.0TFSI engine (Bought the car in December). I love the car, but now I have noticed a strange sound that occurs from time to time on cold startup in the morning and goes away after a while. The sound seems to increases with the rpm's until it goes away. There is no fault codes, everything seems to be working all right. Do you guys have any idea what this sound is, is that the timing chain?
Here is a video (sorry for the quality) of startup and you can hear the noise on the video from about 37sec forward:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIRD...ature=youtu.be

Any help in identifying the source of that sound and if I need to worry about it would be greatly appreciated THANKS!!!

The car has 110.000km on it, regularly serviced, last Audi service was done 2.000km ago. The Car model year is 2010.

PS. The temperatures here in Finland can get pretty cold ( -10 degrees / 14ºF last night ) this time of year, don’t know if that has something to do with that noise.

[FormulaElement]

On the 3.2, there's a sound like that thats from the timing chain tensioner going out, also it could be caused by lack of oil pressure.

No one has that i've heard has had a problem with any timing chain components on a 3.0t as of yet.

[SinCityA6]

Thats not a timing change rattle; valves are ticking. Not uncommon on cold startups as it take the oil some time to get to the heads (especially when it is as cold as it is there).

[Tonde]

Hi! Thanks for the good advices. It’s nice to know that although it sounds BAD that it’s normal. No way to avoid it then? I think I’m going to change the upper tensioners just to be on the safe side. I want to drive this baby far into the future without worries. I'm also thinking about getting APR stage 1 or 2 installed, but want to eliminate possibilities for costly repairs first. If understood correctly this 3.0TFSI should be pretty solid/reliable.

[hambone1983]

I have the same engine, with about the same mileage on the odometer.
the noise is more than what my vehicle exhibits - and temperatures here in the US Boston area has been under 10F most of the winter, I have some noise but its only lifters and no chain noise. Keep us posted what you find when upgrading your tensioners. This should be interesting!

[FormulaElement]

I wouldn't rule the timing system in the 3.0t to be rock solid yet. The 4.2 and 3.2 exhibit the problem more so with age than miles, and any 3.0t isn't 10 years old yet...

[B5BAR]

If it was a 2.0T I would say check the cam follower for the high pressure fuel pump. Knowing the 3.0T has a better pump, I would have to ask if you detect the sound more at the front, or rear of the engine?

I live in Minnesota, I park my 3.0T avant outside often including -10F to -20F overnights. My Avant has 100,000 miles on it, and sounds notably quieter overall at normal idle, but does exhibit some extreme valve train sounds right after cold startup, but usually only for about 5 seconds or less.

May we ask what oil you are running, and what interval you have changed it? Is everything up to level?

[Tonde]

Hi!

Last oil change was about 2000km ago. Oil level is OK. Oil change interval has been approximately 20.000km (30.000km or 2years is recommended by Audi long-life service here), I'm planning to go with 15.000km/1year interval. Oil in the engine is Castrol 5w-40 LongLife III Edge. I Don’t know the oil the previous owner used, but it was Audi’s recommended long life oil

Changed upper tensioners yesterday along with the car battery. Checked oil and fuel pressure at the same time, they were all OK. First cold start up this morning, noticeably quieter. But the then again the noise didn't occur every time and it was also a bit warmer. I'll keep you posted on how things go.

[KT88]

Thx for posting this. Wife's 3.0T Q5 has similar goings on under the hood and getting ready to take it in so interested in how your's goes too. Good luck and I'll report anything interesting/useful.

[hambone1983]

How hard was to change the upper chain tensioner? I am assuming no need for engine removal?

thanks,

Hi!

Last oil change was about 2000km ago. Oil level is OK. Oil change interval has been approximately 20.000km (30.000km or 2years is recommended by Audi long-life service here), I'm planning to go with 15.000km/1year interval. Oil in the engine is Castrol 5w-40 LongLife III Edge. I Don’t know the oil the previous owner used, but it was Audi’s recommended long life oil

Changed upper tensioners yesterday along with the car battery. Checked oil and fuel pressure at the same time, they were all OK. First cold start up this morning, noticeably quieter. But the then again the noise didn't occur every time and it was also a bit warmer. I'll keep you posted on how things go.

[Tonde]

For the upper tensioners you don't have to drop the engine. If I understood correctly the 3.0TFSI procedure for changing the upper tensioners is basically the same as for the 3.2l engine, but you will need some different tools. Here is a video on youtube that might be helpful:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAWs...ature=youtu.be

and SSP for 3.0TFSI engine http://www.s4-mtm.com/images/925803_3.0V6TFSIengine.pdf

I took the car to a local indie shop for the job and it took them about 6 hrs. They weren't familiar with this engine. But it isn't rocket science it just takes time.

[Simon of Elmet]

My indie did the same procedure for my upper tensioner as well, am very happy that he knows his shit. Breathed a sigh of relief when he advised that the engine did not have to be pulled.

[hambone1983]

So did this help the engine noise?

[Tonde]

So far so good.. I haven't been able to reproduce the sound heard on the video. It's all quieter, although this is not a quiet engine by all means. The weather hasn't been as cold as when the video was taken, so it still might be a factor but at this time changing the tensioners seem to have worked for me. I'll keep you posted on how things go.