Please help me name this noise

[bakedziti]

As the title states, please help me name this noise. Ignore the video, except for the fact that I am in the engine bay while recording. Car is in neutral, revs to ~2k. I suddenly got a loud grinding noise today on the way home; starts off right around 2,000 rpm, and isn't something I can identify. It seems to be coming from between the front two cylinders. No codes, no CEL, just noise. Currently at 113k miles, stage II of oil consumption done at ~85k along with timing and rear main seal; oil changed every 7.5k after that by me. Turbo replaced at 87k. Plugs and coil packs done at 90k.

Any thoughts would be appreciated!

[van462]

With the noise coming from the front of the engine I would remove the accessories belt and restart it to see being caused by an accessory or the engine. The you may be able to see if it feels like its coming from the timing cover or not. The way some are chewed threw it could be a tensioner issue. Is it possible the timing was done prior to the newest revision one being made?

Nothing about that noise sounds cheap. But I would try something like marvel mystery oil or something similar to see if it were a sticky lifter.

Best smartass answer is " I would name it ...RAT a TAT TAT TAT"

[bakedziti]

With the noise coming from the front of the engine I would remove the accessories belt and restart it to see being caused by an accessory or the engine. The you may be able to see if it feels like its coming from the timing cover or not. The way some are chewed threw it could be a tensioner issue. Is it possible the timing was done prior to the newest revision one being made?

Nothing about that noise sounds cheap. But I would try something like marvel mystery oil or something similar to see if it were a sticky lifter.

Best smartass answer is " I would name it ...RAT a TAT TAT TAT"

Thank you! I'll check the accessories. It really sounds to be internal to the engine, and is concentrated most smack between the front two cylinders. Timing was done in July 2015, so I would hope it was the revised tensioner. Research on engine noises points to possibly being a lifter, but I honestly don't have that much experience or the resources at my apartment. It idles perfectly, and everything seems fine, less the noise.


Edit: Tensioner PN#06K109467K. Seeming more like rod knock than anything else. Question is, with Stage II this should have been touched, so could rod knock be a likely symptom? If so, the next question is do I have the tune removed, and then take it to the dealer. They're a couple miles apart. Or, do it just take it to an indy across the street? It's been 13 months and 24,368 miles since Stage II and the timing update.

[van462]

It does have that heavier thud that rods make offer the tick off a lifter. Hopefully a rod bolt hasn't broken. Seems a few of the stage 2 oil cars are having connecting rod failures.

[bakedziti]

I took it to the indy shop across the street from me, who believes it's a wrist pin and suggests I take it to the dealer due to the oil consumption work. So at this point, its off to the tuner hopefully tomorrow, and then straight to the dealer. Can't say things are looking positive.

[bakedziti]

Hate seeing my car on a tow truck, but didn't care to chance driving it, because it only sounds worse. The car is already wrapped up at my local tuner, and at the dealer to hopefully get checked out tomorrow. Totally forgot about my DV+, so we'll see how this goes.

[bakedziti]

Finally got a call back from the dealer, but only after I called them this morning asking for an update. Their diagnosis is rod knock, which was my initial concern. The car has been flagged for TD1, and the preliminary quote for the new long block came in at $11,116. I certainly won't be paying that much, and am already exploring the @lettuce B8.5 engine swap, but want to see if Audi will step in with the work that was completed on the pistons & rings last July. While I know this is an extremely long shot, I think its worth the effort to at least ask.

[Townending]

Wellll shiiiiiiiiiiit. I just found this noise last week too.

[bakedziti]

Wellll shiiiiiiiiiiit. I just found this noise last week too.

I really hope your's is something else! My noise got worse after I posted that video, and once the car cooled down a bit; which I only know because it had to be moved to go to my indy across the street, and when towed to the tuner, and then from the tuner to the dealer. I have the dealer also looking into changing the connecting rods, and everything else they need to instead of the full long block, if Audi declines to assist. Personally, I think my case has something to do with the oil consumption work done last year, but I am certain Audi's argument will focus around the tune.

[Townending]

I hope so too, but I really think I'm gonna trade the car in while it still runs.

On another note, nice to see another MGB owner on here. 1969 with 44k miles checking in.

[jmeenach]

I hope so too, but I really think I'm gonna trade the car in while it still runs.

On another note, nice to see another MGB owner on here. 1969 with 44k miles checking in.

If you trade her in, let me know! I'm in LA and wouldn't mind taking a few of your mods off your hands. Also, if you change your mind and decide to have her fixed, double check to make sure you are all the way back to stock, not just stock tune.

[Captain Amazing]

Scary, these cars seem like they just start to fall apart. Sucks I just bought one a few months ago, very unnerving.

[Townending]

If you trade her in, let me know! I'm in LA and wouldn't mind taking a few of your mods off your hands. Also, if you change your mind and decide to have her fixed, double check to make sure you are all the way back to stock, not just stock tune.

I'm already marked TD1
I'll definitely shoot you a PM if/when the time comes to trade her in.

Scary, these cars seem like they just start to fall apart. Sucks I just bought one a few months ago, very unnerving.

I don't know about OP, but I've been running E85 for the past 45k miles, and these were not easy cruising miles. I can't say I'm surprised that things are starting to go wrong. I am a bit surprised / pleased the tranny held up so well after all this time, never had an issue with that.

[bakedziti]

On another note, nice to see another MGB owner on here. 1969 with 44k miles checking in.

It's definitely nice to see another MG owner on AZ . I don't have any current pictures, as it's an ongoing project between my B8 and the MG, but the MG really just needs to be cleaned up nicely. The MG has never left the family, with my late Grandfather purchasing the car in '77 and his passing in '81. The car was left on blocks until late '02 in my Grandma's garage with 21,000 miles on it; complete with my Grandfather's aftermarket magazines in the trunk that had parts circled and notated. With the help of my Dad, we got the MG running and I took my road test with the MG, without power steering and with the nice little 4 speed manual. The car was meant for my uncle, but he doesn't have room in LA with his Defender as a toy, plus their dailies, so it eventually made its way into my hands. I'm just trying to bring it back to what it was, but its a slow project. The car currently has 30,000 miles, and I look forward to plenty more once the project is completed. Sorry for the tangent.

I don't know about OP, but I've been running E85 for the past 45k miles, and these were not easy cruising miles. I can't say I'm surprised that things are starting to go wrong. I am a bit surprised / pleased the tranny held up so well after all this time, never had an issue with that.

No E85 here, and it's only been tuned for 10,000 miles; which haven't been all hard miles either. Granted I drive a considerable amount, but I only occasionally beat on her. My tranny is solid, but clearly my engine had other plans for me. Hopefully I hear back from the dealer today regarding any assistance from Audi, but as I stated, I am already exploring my other options.

I was sort of pissed at myself for making another noise thread, but now I am hoping it can serve as a reference for others who may have similar issues. Worst case, if I do end up doing a swap myself; which I have never done before, I will try to document it thoroughly.

[bakedziti]

Time for a little update with this noise thread. I ended up pulling the car from the dealer's lot after they too attributed the noise to a connecting rod. AoA flat out denied the claim due to the mileage since Stage II of the Oil Consumption fix with just over 24k miles driven in the 12.5 months following the pistons and rings replacements. The connecting rod bearings were changed as well during Stage II; which is what has failed on me. The dealer simply wanted too much money to be left with a 12/12 warranty, and likely having the same tech do the work the second time around. I got the car to an Indy mechanic I trust, who was able to confirm that the bearings were spun and the crank was basically useless due to the amount of metal in the pan. He said that the upper bearing was sitting on top of the lower bearing when he got into it.



In light of this I ended up purchasing a used engine from LKQ that came from a 2016 A4 with 8k miles on it. The source vehicle was not in an accident, but had undercarriage damage, and was the same engine code as my car, so it was the perfect replacement. The engine even came with a turbo; which was a big surprise.



All was going well until the replacement engine underwent a final check prior to being installed. My mechanic found that the head was cracked on it, and it looked as if the engine had been dropped on its nose after removal or during shipping.







Thankfully this was found prior to installation, because LKQs warranty would not have covered me, because the engine I purchased was not specified for my model year and VIN. After a little finagling, LKQ agreed to send out a different engine assembly. The new donor car is a 2015 with 20k miles from California that was hit between the left two doors. Unfortunately, this one doesn't come with a turbo, and LKQ wants $680 for the turbo that came with the first engine, so that's going back. I also took this chance to replace my water pump; inspect my motor mounts; and finally throw on my HFC.

The new engine is supposed to arrive on Friday, so I'll hopefully have my B8 back soon; barring any issues. Until then, I'm still rolling around in the family loaner Q5, so it's not too bad.

[Poodini]

^^
Damn this is some crazy shit you're going through! I just passed the 110k mark and had all the requisite service i.e. Tensioner kit, etc etc done just at 100k. Running stage 2 APR w HFC, 3.0t intercooler swap and ECode intercooler hoses/pipe.
God forbid this should happen! If the Mrs. even caught a sniff of entertaining swapping engines/turbo's, she'd order me to sell it immediately and get an F'n Prius or some crap like that..
LORD!!


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[Townending]

Hey Bakedzti, were you able to hear the noise while driving after it got worse? Did it just get louder?

I heard this noise ONCE during warmup after the car sat for two weeks. Its now been 11k miles and I haven't heard it since nor have I been able to replicate it. I'm really left puzzled at this point.

[bakedziti]

^^
Damn this is some crazy shit you're going through! I just passed the 110k mark and had all the requisite service i.e. Tensioner kit, etc etc done just at 100k. Running stage 2 APR w HFC, 3.0t intercooler swap and ECode intercooler hoses/pipe.
God forbid this should happen! If the Mrs. even caught a sniff of entertaining swapping engines/turbo's, she'd order me to sell it immediately and get an F'n Prius or some crap like that..
LORD!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Luckily my gf can only provide her opinion, but I am in no way obligated to listen when I am fronting the cost. She has her thoughts, but knows the car makes me happy, so she's been supportive, but has dropped more than a few hints about things that she thinks the money would be "better" spent on. It's been a headache, but it will be worth it in the end.

Off topic, but are the euro spec IC hoses different?

Hey Bakedzti, were you able to hear the noise while driving after it got worse? Did it just get louder?

I heard this noise ONCE during warmup after the car sat for two weeks. Its now been 11k miles and I haven't heard it since nor have I been able to replicate it. I'm really left puzzled at this point.

I was driving when I first noticed the noise, and it progressively got worse while I made my way home; it was maybe 3 miles at the most. The next day the noise was far worse when the car was cold, and seemed to sound more horrific each time I heard the car started after that. If you haven't heard it since, I hope for you that you had a fluke type noise that day.

[Townending]

I was driving when I first noticed the noise, and it progressively got worse while I made my way home; it was maybe 3 miles at the most. The next day the noise was far worse when the car was cold, and seemed to sound more horrific each time I heard the car started after that. If you haven't heard it since, I hope for you that you had a fluke type noise that day.

I hope it's just a fluke too. In the mean time I'll be saving up for a new engine just incase, hahah.

Good luck with the swap, I'll be keeping an eye on this thread.

[rainydaze]

Luckily my gf can only provide her opinion, but I am in no way obligated to listen when I am fronting the cost. She has her thoughts, but knows the car makes me happy, so she's been supportive, but has dropped more than a few hints about things that she thinks the money would be "better" spent on. It's been a headache, but it will be worth it in the end.

Spoken like a true unmarried man.