Wastegate chatter/flutter

[mahunik]

I have a 2010 A4 and have noticed that when the RPMs wind down I get a distinct ticking noise of the wastegate. I've already assumed that the wastegate flapper is loose but what I don't know is if these specific year audis has a removable wastegate actuator. Do all B8 A4's have removable actuators? and will tightening this fix the noise?

Video with noise
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E57i...ature=youtu.be

[The Infiltrator]

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...lapper-(P0299)

[bakedziti]

You can use the thread below to tighten up some slack in your wastegate actuator rod, but ours are not adjustable as they were on the B7s and before. This thread will give you a solution, but I believe it may only be temporary. Used turbos can be had for under $500; which was the route that I took for my car. If you had less miles, or feel like giving it a shot, you can try your dealer. There was a TSB for this, but it's specific to VIN, and the extended warranty was to 70k miles.

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...lapper-(P0299)

[S4_SH1640]

I have that exact same noise.......

You think its coming from the wastegate? it sounds like there is some loose heat shield or something like that.

[mahunik]

Yeah I thought similar but upon reading more It became apparent that it most deff the wastegate flapper. Other then the noise it doesnt have a major impact on performance unless you're throwing a CEL. My brother who owns a 135 had some really bad wastegate ticking and he checked out mine saying its probably the same thing. For now Im going to leave it be until its gets really bad or when I install a cold air intake/Decat pipe.

[S4_SH1640]

Mine doesnt throw the code, but i hear it sometimes.

I wanted to install that wastegate clip but its kinda hard to reach in there and install it.

[piotrowr]

I had another P0299 yesterday and I did notice this noise recently from the engine bay. Time to visit the dealer.

[Crucible35]

wasn't there a TSB/warranty extension on the turbo due to the wastegate flapper? I've seen/heard lots of replacements because of it....

[piotrowr]

Yes there is an I'm covered since I'm only at 53K Miles.

[piotrowr]

Dropped off with dealer this morning with active P0299 fault. Service advisor said they will diagnose and get back later today.

[bakedziti]

Dropped off with dealer this morning with active P0299 fault. Service advisor said they will diagnose and get back later today.

Good luck! They did the same with me, called me back, and then tried to charge me $150 diagnosis fee + $1,300 not including labor because my car "wasn't covered under the VIN specific warranty extension." I hope you have better luck!

EDIT: Forgot to add that I came to them with the code in hand, so a diagnosis was not necessary. Needless to say, I did not pay the fee.

[piotrowr]

Just got the call. Turbo is bad and being replaced under extended warranty. Car should be ready tomorrow.

[piotrowr]

Picked up vehicle with new turbo. Running better in my opinion, more responsive boost.

[van462]

On these small turbo cars they rely so much on building boost at lower RPM's. A leak at the wastegate is most noticeable in low to mid rpm. At higher RPM there is enough ehaust flowing thru that the wastegate is starting to open anyway. Biggest difference I noticed was going uphill at 25mph. It can stay a gear higher and just turn up the boost to maintain rpm.

[ccoaston]

When I had that error code FULL TURBO REPLACEMENT WASTEGATE, TURBO AND HEADER.

[piotrowr]

On these small turbo cars they rely so much on building boost at lower RPM's. A leak at the wastegate is most noticeable in low to mid rpm. At higher RPM there is enough ehaust flowing thru that the wastegate is starting to open anyway. Biggest difference I noticed was going uphill at 25mph. It can stay a gear higher and just turn up the boost to maintain rpm.

Yes that's where I'm noticing the big improvement, right off the line at lower speeds/rpm.

[A4x]

On these small turbo cars they rely so much on building boost at lower RPM's. A leak at the wastegate is most noticeable in low to mid rpm. At higher RPM there is enough ehaust flowing thru that the wastegate is starting to open anyway. Biggest difference I noticed was going uphill at 25mph. It can stay a gear higher and just turn up the boost to maintain rpm.

Yes that's where I'm noticing the big improvement, right off the line at lower speeds/rpm.

My car feels a bit sluggish off the line and at low RPM. I have a TON of wastegate chatter when letting off the throttle, but no codes yet.

Im going to try new plugs, since its been a while. By the way it's a 2011 with 58000 mi.

Is there any logging I can do in VCDS to see if my wastegate is leaking boost at low RPM? Should I log boost actual and requested while doing a 3rd gear pull? Or 2nd gear from very low speed?

Thanks for the help guys.