Terrible knocking noise from the back of the engine...

[jpas4]

2011 S4 with 37k on it.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xff...ew?usp=sharing

Literally just started making the noise when I turned it on today to go home. The frequency of the noise has a direct relationship with the revs of the motor itself. Also very audible if I put my head near the front left wheel; definitely seems to be coming from the lower part of the firewall on the driver side.

I drove it the 1 mile back to where I am staying and the engine/transmission feel normal.

I'm dropping it off at the dealer tomorrow morning, but do any of you guys have any ideas on what this could be? Not throwing CEL, but I understand that a code may already be thrown.

[KnewJack]

Need to hear it with some revs to hear how it changes. Is it a manual or DSG?

[RavinJetta]

Wow that does not sound good at all.

[Sudz]

Yeah, I wouldn't drive that. Get a tow.

[KnewJack]

Hopefully it's not the bottom end.

[levigarrett]

Yikes. Update this thread and let us know what that's all about. Sounds ugly.

[DBL R]

Here for the potential ugliness. Get a tow

[LaCross]

That sounds expensive...


Anybody else think it sounds more clutch/flywheel-y than engine-y?

[LYKUNO]

I agree that it should be towed rather than driven. Sounds like a sewing machine. On the other hand, I've heard exhaust leaks that could make a sound similar and increase with engine speed. But if internal, further running could possibly cause irreparable damage - why take a chance?

[BlownOne]

Sounds like a broken lifter...pull the driver side valve cover and inspect.

[BoostEasy]

I agree that it should be towed rather than driven. Sounds like a sewing machine. On the other hand, I've heard exhaust leaks that could make a sound similar and increase with engine speed. But if internal, further running could possibly cause irreparable damage - why take a chance?

My thought was well. It's hard to say from the clip- could be an exhaust leak but if it's really metallic sounding or otherwise obviously from the engine, shut it off and call a tow truck. It's worth the $150 vs blowing up something into a much larger problem.

Is the car 6MT or DSG?

[littleredwagen]

sounds like something banging against a heat shield, maybe a engine mount? If a guide was broke it cause misfires and rough running and busted lifter would cause the same thing at least in my experience with engines

[jpas4]

Not much of an update for everyone, but the car was towed to the dealer; insurance covered road-side assistance took care of the tow. Dealer needs to investigate the timing chain area, which is roughly 40 hours of labor to pull the motor and then put it back together again afterwards. The repair that would happen in the middle of that is obviously yet to be determined.

edit : For those who asked, the car is a DSG

[rtl5009]

Lost rocker arm.

[schirm]

subscribed. Mine did not sound like that when my engine was shot for what its worth. Good luck with everything.

[fitzydude]

Really sounds like a broken timing chain component.

[RyanJon]

Too many of this type of thread around at the minute for my liking, it's making me nervous!

Are you tuned?

[FWP!]

Really sounds like a broken timing chain component.

Yep

[MagillaGorilla]

Too many of this type of thread around at the minute for my liking, it's making me nervous!

Are you tuned?

A couple threads is really nothing compared to how many of these engines are running around. The 3.0T is used in our cars, A6, A7, A8, Q7, SQ5, it is in pretty much everything lol.

[TexasDfwS4]

WOW that's a nasty sound...

[TexasDfwS4]

OP have your found the problem yet?

[Militant-Grunt]

I doubt it is an engine issue, he would have CEL faults out the ass with it knocking like that. Its possible the flange for the cat broke off. We see that from time to time, and its just a terribly sounding exhaust leak.

[cspcrx]

Is it an exhaust leak at the header or where the header and cat meet? Perhaps its the other engine sounds that make it sound that way to me.

[TexasDfwS4]

I would have guessed this was a timing chain guide but with my limited Audi experience and motor skills I was waiting for the verdict so I didn't sound ignorant. But I would like to know.

[TexasDfwS4]

What was it?

[Thurston]

What was it?

yeah where the hell is the original poster??? I suppose 40+hours of labor just to try and find what the problem is . . . yeah we may be waiting for some time ha ha

[TexasDfwS4]

True, I didn't think of that. I was thinking the same where is the OP and I'm sure I wouldn't want to have this happen to me. I hope it's something easy and affordable.

[cspcrx]

This is like the 3rd thread like this strange noise and no report back. There was the one that was a shop tech with a video, what ever came of that one?

[Thomas@TAI-VW]

My guess is failing timing chain elements or cam phasers.

[AdamInKC]

My $ is on either a fuel injector not firing or the spark plug. Had an injector wire pop off on my buddy's Nissan GT-R and it sounded like lower end noise and an uneven idle. A cylinder not firing sounds like lower end noise.


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[TexasDfwS4]

He stated that it runs fine though.

[jpas4]

Update time! Just got the car back today.

Timing chain guide broke, causing some slack in the chain itself, which is why the noise had a direct relationship with the revs. Everything was replaced, not just the broken guide. All components in that area have been swapped with brand new parts as a result, since there is a TSB on it and it would be silly to not do it and then have another piece fail some time from now.
As stated, there is a TSB on this issue, which is not widespread, but Audi is aware of the issue. If encountered, it apparently usually happens at my similar mileage, but most people are also under warranty at this time and is usually covered under it.

I authorized the dealer to begin repairs about 1.5 weeks ago right when I went out of town for a week. They called me this past Saturday to let me know the car was ready.

I'm out boku $$$ but not much I can do now. Just glad I have the car back.

Those that guessed timing chain components wins 10 internet points.

[mgaman]

Damn, 37k miles and a TSB as a known issue but you had to pay for it? Sounds painful :(

Glad it's fixed though and didn't cause any major damage!

[MagillaGorilla]

I've noticed on my car that if it has been sitting a while I get bad timing chain rattle for a couple seconds after starting it. If it hasn't been sitting it is fine though. Due to your mileage I'm guessing you have large gaps between when you drive your car and every time you have started it, it is has put a lot of stress on the tensioners that have had all the oil drain off of them.

Hopefully this doesn't become a problem for all of us in the future but I am pretty sure it will. I suspect we all have a limited number of sitting for +24 hours starts left.

[cspcrx]

Often thought about this exact thing. I have seen a few posts on here of odd problems on abnormally low mileage cars. It is a machine that is designed to be used and a frequency of use has to be built into the design. Makes sense that lack of use could cause some problems.

[TexasDfwS4]

This is concerning. A friend had the B7 and was always worried that it would blow. I just got the oil pressure sensor warning code and have only 3 1/2 months left on warranty these are the things that make me want to trade it in.

[DBL R]

I've noticed on my car that if it has been sitting a while I get bad timing chain rattle for a couple seconds after starting it. If it hasn't been sitting it is fine though. Due to your mileage I'm guessing you have large gaps between when you drive your car and every time you have started it, it is has put a lot of stress on the tensioners that have had all the oil drain off of them.

Hopefully this doesn't become a problem for all of us in the future but I am pretty sure it will. I suspect we all have a limited number of sitting for +24 hours starts left.

I'm sure people like me will be some of the first to be able to share information on this, due to my work schedule I often go 2-4 days without starting my vehicle.

[Audacious]

I've noticed on my car that if it has been sitting a while I get bad timing chain rattle for a couple seconds after starting it. If it hasn't been sitting it is fine though. Due to your mileage I'm guessing you have large gaps between when you drive your car and every time you have started it, it is has put a lot of stress on the tensioners that have had all the oil drain off of them.

Hopefully this doesn't become a problem for all of us in the future but I am pretty sure it will. I suspect we all have a limited number of sitting for +24 hours starts left.

Does it sounds something like this? http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...rt-V6-3-0-TFSI Audi deems it "normal". Our 2011 3.0T Q7 has made this sound for over a year and a half with no further issues.

[fitzydude]

Those that guessed timing chain components wins 10 internet points.

Ha nailed it! I think my internet points balance is still negative though :-/ sorry it cost so much!

[MagillaGorilla]

Does it sounds something like this? http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...rt-V6-3-0-TFSI Audi deems it "normal". Our 2011 3.0T Q7 has made this sound for over a year and a half with no further issues.

Yup exactly that. I know they say it is normal but I find it really hard to believe that it isn't causing a very small amount of damage/wear each time. I think it is gonna break eventually.

Here is a video I coincidentally took this morning after my car was sitting for 5 days while I was travelling.

https://goo.gl/photos/d9inxne9DcVomrv58