B9 S4, Ticking while under load - Help Wanted

[S4Fin]

Hello everyone!

I'm fairly new to the B9 S4 platform, as I just purchased a higher mileage example back in October.

I purchased my 18' S4 with 73k, and currently just rolled over 77k.

Ever since I could remember, I've been hearing a ticking sound at very specific times, and I'm looking for some advice.

I've heard everything from rocker arms, wastegate rattle, intermediate steering shaft TSB, and even the flex pipes, but I'm looking for a more concrete answer and possibly someone who's experienced the same thing.

The specifics:
- Only happens under load, cannot replicate ticking in park while revving.
- Loudest between 1k-2k RPMs, then it starts to die out completely.
- Letting off of the throttle will cause it to go away entirely.
- When going down a slow, steady hill, and the vehicle downshifts to a higher RPM, no ticking sound is created.
- Seems to tick slow when moving slow, and tick faster as I climb to 20-25 MPH.

I know nobody can concretely diagnose, and I plan on cutting my filter open/getting an oil analysis, but I'm hoping someone can chime in on what I'm hearing.

I will attempt to attach videos or the links of the vehicle idling, as well as the vehicle rolling, where you can hear the ticking faintly in the background.

Idling - https://youtube.com/shorts/cvvS5tEL5sU?feature=share

Rolling - https://youtube.com/shorts/Ct2ADIO4GcU?feature=share

Thank you for any and all advice and info.

[Jadar]

From what I’ve seen the b9 ea838 engine is very solid and reliable. I can’t rule anything out with what people have told you what they think it is as there’s not a whole lot of these cars with super high miles yet.

What I do know and I hope this helps and I’m surprised it hasn’t been talked about more, perhaps it’s still a low occurrence, is that Audi put out a service bulletin for revised rocker arms. The pins inside the roller rockers were too small and stress over time causing them to slide out and the rocker arm falls off. I believe it makes a ticking noise before hand. Here’s a video on YouTube on a 2.9L rs5, it’s a stock engine that uses the same rockers as the 3.0 from what I understand. I’m not saying this is what’s going on with your car but it’s worth taking a look at.
5 minute mark.

https://youtu.be/xdlLMMsDcZc


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[Robvoip]

From what I’ve seen the b9 ea838 engine is very solid and reliable. I can’t rule anything out with what people have told you what they think it is as there’s not a whole lot of these cars with super high miles yet.

What I do know and I hope this helps and I’m surprised it hasn’t been talked about more, perhaps it’s still a low occurrence, is that Audi put out a service bulletin for revised rocker arms. The pins inside the roller rockers were too small and stress over time causing them to slide out and the rocker arm falls off. I believe it makes a ticking noise before hand. Here’s a video on YouTube on a 2.9L rs5, it’s a stock engine that uses the same rockers as the 3.0 from what I understand. I’m not saying this is what’s going on with your car but it’s worth taking a look at.
5 minute mark.

https://youtu.be/xdlLMMsDcZc


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There is no tsb for rocker arm failure.

The tick the op is experiencing is most likely the hpfp/injector tick e

[Robvoip]

Injector tick, that many owners with a b9 experience.

[E.Anderson]

Under the hood sounds fine. Inside the car has too much ambient noise to really hear anything. I went from b9 to b9.5 and even on my 21 s4 I'll be walking by thinking this thing sounds like a diesel. We've all been paranoid from the 4 cases of rocker failure.

[Jadar]

Injector tick, that many owners with a b9 experience.

That would be the best scenario. Rocker arm issue is like a 5k fix.


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[Jadar]

Under the hood sounds fine. Inside the car has too much ambient noise to really hear anything. I went from b9 to b9.5 and even on my 21 s4 I'll be walking by thinking this thing sounds like a diesel. We've all been paranoid from the 4 cases of rocker failure.

While yes I’d be paranoid as well that’s not many cases and if anyone is familiar with the f80 m3 crank hub failure the rocker arm issue is small in comparison especially the cost. Not that I’m dispelling the severity of it at all but man I rent in 2016 when the m3 issues started piping up it was insane.

Also I dd a 21 Arteon with the ea888 motor that takes the cake for loudest motor under load and starting off idle. It seriously sounds like an old school diesel lol it’s atrocious. Direct injection pumps tend to be that way what can we do.


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[S4Fin]

Under the hood sounds fine. Inside the car has too much ambient noise to really hear anything. I went from b9 to b9.5 and even on my 21 s4 I'll be walking by thinking this thing sounds like a diesel. We've all been paranoid from the 4 cases of rocker failure.

Thanks for the reply.

The sound is probably easier to hear on the phone in a quiet room, as my macbook doesn't pickup the noise much.

Oddly enough, cracking the window I can no longer hear the noise, Lol.

[S4Fin]

Injector tick, that many owners with a b9 experience.

I'd be hoping it's this or the HPFP, however the sound always seems like it's right in front of me behind the gauge cluster, but not inside the interior.

My next move will be inspecting the oil filter, but until then it's mere speculation from me!

[AndreiMTM]

Same noise on my 2018 s5 SB with 79k miles. Oil filter was torn last oil change and no metal flakes were found. There’s a few reports on YouTube, and another thread on here with the exact same symptoms but I haven’t found a solution/diagnosis yet


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[gcon4261]

My 2018 S4 does exactly the same thing. Light ticking noise while under a light to moderate load. I am noticing it a lot more with the cooler weather. Please keep us posted if you find the issue.

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[SHCKR]

My 2018 S4 does exactly the same thing. Light ticking noise while under a light to moderate load. I am noticing it a lot more with the cooler weather. Please keep us posted if you find the issue.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Check the plastic shroud that covers the gap between the hood and the windshield. Ensure it's seated into the windshield groove

[S4Fin]

My 2018 S4 does exactly the same thing. Light ticking noise while under a light to moderate load. I am noticing it a lot more with the cooler weather. Please keep us posted if you find the issue.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

I'm going to inspect my intermediate steering shaft to determine if the seal is torn/broken on the shaft which can cause a click/binding noise. Also, the flex pipes on these cars are known to fail and break down creating an exhaust-like clicking sound. Not sure how I'm going to inspect the flex pipe but I'll try my best.

[S4Fin]

Same noise on my 2018 s5 SB with 79k miles. Oil filter was torn last oil change and no metal flakes were found. There’s a few reports on YouTube, and another thread on here with the exact same symptoms but I haven’t found a solution/diagnosis yet


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I'm definitely going to be updating here! I've got 77.4k and I drive about 60 miles every day. Doesn't seem to affect performance of the vehicle, but only time will tell.

Will be checking intermediate steering shaft and flex pipe as soon as I have free time.

[AndreiMTM]

I'm definitely going to be updating here! I've got 77.4k and I drive about 60 miles every day. Doesn't seem to affect performance of the vehicle, but only time will tell.

Will be checking intermediate steering shaft and flex pipe as soon as I have free time.

Appreciate it! I’ll report back also if I find anything


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[gcon4261]

Check the plastic shroud that covers the gap between the hood and the windshield. Ensure it's seated into the windshield groove

I checked all the cowl plastic, everything seems as it should. The ticking definitely sounds like it is in the engine bay, but it stays constant as the engine rpms go up. It seems to disappear after 2500 rpms. This is on a car with only 40k miles. I can't duplicate the noise while in park and reving the engine, it has to be in drive under a light load, really noticable if you cruising up a slight incline.

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[SHCKR]

I checked all the cowl plastic, everything seems as it should. The ticking definitely sounds like it is in the engine bay, but it stays constant as the engine rpms go up. It seems to disappear after 2500 rpms. This is on a car with only 40k miles. I can't duplicate the noise while in park and reving the engine, it has to be in drive under a light load, really noticable if you cruising up a slight incline.

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Mine had ticking/rattling, only under load, and it was that shroud, hence the suggestion

[S4Fin]

I checked all the cowl plastic, everything seems as it should. The ticking definitely sounds like it is in the engine bay, but it stays constant as the engine rpms go up. It seems to disappear after 2500 rpms. This is on a car with only 40k miles. I can't duplicate the noise while in park and reving the engine, it has to be in drive under a light load, really noticable if you cruising up a slight incline.

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Here's a link to a TSB that I found after doing ALOT of digging.

This TSB speaks about the intermediate steering shaft and describes the issue almost to a T, not saying this is our problem, but we will find out when I get it diagnosed.

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...10569-0001.pdf

- - - Updated - - -

Mine had ticking/rattling, only under load, and it was that shroud, hence the suggestion

Thank you for the information!

To clarify, the ticking rattling you heard before seating the plastic cowl between the hood and windshield, did it sound metallic?

[trevor51590]

Jumping in, my car is making the same noise, sounds like engine noise is getting translated into the cabin, and the sound is on the drivers side. Coincidently I found the TSB 10 minutes ago just searching, before jumping in here. Let me know what you find out, I think we're having the same noises.

Its almost as if I'm hearing the valvetrain/injectors/HPFP slightly through into the cabin, and the intensity increases with load.

edit: 32k miles

[S4Fin]

Jumping in, my car is making the same noise, sounds like engine noise is getting translated into the cabin, and the sound is on the drivers side. Coincidently I found the TSB 10 minutes ago just searching, before jumping in here. Let me know what you find out, I think we're having the same noises.

Its almost as if I'm hearing the valvetrain/injectors/HPFP slightly through into the cabin, and the intensity increases with load.

edit: 32k miles

Hey! Thanks for chiming in.

I'm going to be inspecting my steering shaft per the TSB as soon as I have a free moment.

With that being said, it does sound like engine related at some points, considering it's under load. But if my car downshifts on it's own going down a hill and goes to 2k and doesn't make a peep, it leads me to believe that it's not something in the valvetrain. It sounds like it's right in front me, which makes me wondering if it's steering column, drive shaft joint, etc.

Please keep us updated on your findings.

[Kerbouchard]

I have this exact symptom as OP describes. ‘18 cabrio with 13k miles. Took it to dealer, they replaced pass side exhaust valve rockers under extended warranty (yay!), but the ticking OP describes remains (boo).

I’ve convinced myself (after much stress and research) that it’s “normal” (though annoying) and to just go enjoy the car.

Interesting callout above about the plastic cowl…mine is quite warped for some reason. I have a new one in the garage waiting to go on, just biding my time for warmer weather. Any trick to the R&R on the wiper arms?

[S4Fin]

I have this exact symptom as OP describes. ‘18 cabrio with 13k miles. Took it to dealer, they replaced pass side exhaust valve rockers under extended warranty (yay!), but the ticking OP describes remains (boo).

I’ve convinced myself (after much stress and research) that it’s “normal” (though annoying) and to just go enjoy the car.

Interesting callout above about the plastic cowl…mine is quite warped for some reason. I have a new one in the garage waiting to go on, just biding my time for warmer weather. Any trick to the R&R on the wiper arms?

I'm still working on figuring out which cowl he's talking about. The cowl that holds the battery terminal and coolant reservoir? Or the actual cowl that meets the windshield?

[S4Fin]

Jumping in, my car is making the same noise, sounds like engine noise is getting translated into the cabin, and the sound is on the drivers side. Coincidently I found the TSB 10 minutes ago just searching, before jumping in here. Let me know what you find out, I think we're having the same noises.

Its almost as if I'm hearing the valvetrain/injectors/HPFP slightly through into the cabin, and the intensity increases with load.

edit: 32k miles

Have you made any findings yet?

[DavidZ]

Hello everyone!

I'm fairly new to the B9 S4 platform, as I just purchased a higher mileage example back in October.

I purchased my 18' S4 with 73k, and currently just rolled over 77k.

Ever since I could remember, I've been hearing a ticking sound at very specific times, and I'm looking for some advice.

I've heard everything from rocker arms, wastegate rattle, intermediate steering shaft TSB, and even the flex pipes, but I'm looking for a more concrete answer and possibly someone who's experienced the same thing.

The specifics:
- Only happens under load, cannot replicate ticking in park while revving.
- Loudest between 1k-2k RPMs, then it starts to die out completely.
- Letting off of the throttle will cause it to go away entirely.
- When going down a slow, steady hill, and the vehicle downshifts to a higher RPM, no ticking sound is created.
- Seems to tick slow when moving slow, and tick faster as I climb to 20-25 MPH.

I know nobody can concretely diagnose, and I plan on cutting my filter open/getting an oil analysis, but I'm hoping someone can chime in on what I'm hearing.

I will attempt to attach videos or the links of the vehicle idling, as well as the vehicle rolling, where you can hear the ticking faintly in the background.

Idling - https://youtube.com/shorts/cvvS5tEL5sU?feature=share

Rolling - https://youtube.com/shorts/Ct2ADIO4GcU?feature=share

Thank you for any and all advice and info.

Based on my experience and my SQ5, both of the them sound fine.

[trevor51590]

Have you made any findings yet?

Not yet, today is a halfway decent day and I plan to check it out this afternoon. Going to check the intermediate shaft and plastics/soundproofing

[S4Fin]

Not yet, today is a halfway decent day and I plan to check it out this afternoon. Going to check the intermediate shaft and plastics/soundproofing

Awesome sounds good, I will be awaiting the news of your findings!

[trevor51590]

So I'm bumping this up with unfortunately no good update

The TSB steering intermediate shaft isn't my issue, nor were the plastic cowl pieces


Driving the car, the metallic noise is worse under load. It's like "white noise" or almost a quiet knocking noise that gets louder as I pull harder. Almost like the noise a pickup starts making that has a leaking exhaust manifold or something

If I put the car in neutral and rev it, there's no noise. When I pull on the car (easiest to hear in M2 so there's not as much road noise, its just metallic noise that increases with load (potentially fuel pump, or something of the sort). Given that it's load related, fuel pump demand increases with load to build boost, but so does the turbo. I'm hoping its not in the valve train

The other thought for me is possibly transmission. I'm at a loss, and no appointments remotely close in the future for me to have Audi take a look. May try a drive by one day and ask a tech to ride along for 5 minutes and get their thoughts

As of now, no engine or transmission codes have popped up yet so I'm afraid the dealer will just turn me away

[S4Fin]

So I'm bumping this up with unfortunately no good update

The TSB steering intermediate shaft isn't my issue, nor were the plastic cowl pieces


Driving the car, the metallic noise is worse under load. It's like "white noise" or almost a quiet knocking noise that gets louder as I pull harder. Almost like the noise a pickup starts making that has a leaking exhaust manifold or something

If I put the car in neutral and rev it, there's no noise. When I pull on the car (easiest to hear in M2 so there's not as much road noise, its just metallic noise that increases with load (potentially fuel pump, or something of the sort). Given that it's load related, fuel pump demand increases with load to build boost, but so does the turbo. I'm hoping its not in the valve train

The other thought for me is possibly transmission. I'm at a loss, and no appointments remotely close in the future for me to have Audi take a look. May try a drive by one day and ask a tech to ride along for 5 minutes and get their thoughts

As of now, no engine or transmission codes have popped up yet so I'm afraid the dealer will just turn me away

I sent my video to an Audi master tech, and he almost instantly gave me the response, CV axle. Honestly the location of the sound and the pitch/trend seems to make sense.

I'll probably replace the axle at some point soon.

[D1tuner]

I sent my video to an Audi master tech, and he almost instantly gave me the response, CV axle. Honestly the location of the sound and the pitch/trend seems to make sense.

I'll probably replace the axle at some point soon.

If you suspect the front halfshaft/axle cv joint I would check for a halfshaft boot tear first to confirm, as that’s usually what leads to that type of failure. I’d also note that with halfshafts failures the clicking noise you are noticing generally gets worse when making tight turns under some load.

[S4Fin]

If you suspect the front halfshaft/axle cv joint I would check for a halfshaft boot tear first to confirm, as that’s usually what leads to that type of failure. I’d also note that with halfshafts failures the clicking noise you are noticing generally gets worse when making tight turns under some load.

Sorry to sound stupid. Not too familiar with the underside of this car as I purchased it and haven't had time to get under since the winter cold swung in quickly.

Looking at a picture of the axle from my car, where should I be looking? Could a torn boot cause failure on the insides causing this consistent clicking every time the transmission strains it?

[trevor51590]

I sent my video to an Audi master tech, and he almost instantly gave me the response, CV axle. Honestly the location of the sound and the pitch/trend seems to make sense.

I'll probably replace the axle at some point soon.

That...makes sense. Can you send me the videos?

Ive had a failed CV on another car, but maybe this is the start of it

[trevor51590]

Adding my video finally


Listen to the metallic noise in the (engine/valve train?)

https://youtu.be/4Q4Huko9nRo

The more load, the more noise

[S4Fin]

Adding my video finally


Listen to the metallic noise in the (engine/valve train?)

https://youtu.be/4Q4Huko9nRo

The more load, the more noise

To be honest, mine is a ticking sound, yours sounds more like exhaust pitch, maybe the flex pipes are going?

Again, not a guru, but doesn't sound metallic at least in the video.

[trevor51590]

I’ve pulled the lower pans on the car again and tried diagnosing but no luck




What’s going in this area of the car? It sounds like air is rushing out from somewhere but I can’t detect any immediate leak. Not sure if it’s related, but I’m wondering now if it’s boost related (exhaust/turbo/boost leak)

https://youtube.com/shorts/1wcQIlzKIe8?feature=share

[trevor51590]

Bumping because I think I may have found most of a solution. I haven't fully tested yet, but I think I'm on to something



I turned my soundaktor off using VCDS (volume 0), or you can pull the associated fuse.

My assumption is this; based on the above infographic, I think the soundaktor was inadvertently translating noise that we didn't want to hear. Maybe there's an issue with the device, but based on the description of how it works, it definitely could be causing the issue because it shows exactly where I'm hearing noise from..

Car seemed much quieter. Dynamic still gives you exhaust valve movement obviously. Give it a shot and see if it changed it for you. I have a long drive coming up tonight and will test more than around the block

[B8Blackonblack]

Bumping because I think I may have found most of a solution. I haven't fully tested yet, but I think I'm on to something



I turned my soundaktor off using VCDS (volume 0), or you can pull the associated fuse.

My assumption is this; based on the above infographic, I think the soundaktor was inadvertently translating noise that we didn't want to hear. Maybe there's an issue with the device, but based on the description of how it works, it definitely could be causing the issue because it shows exactly where I'm hearing noise from..

Car seemed much quieter. Dynamic still gives you exhaust valve movement obviously. Give it a shot and see if it changed it for you. I have a long drive coming up tonight and will test more than around the block

Any luck??

[B8Blackonblack]

Here are my videos:

https://youtube.com/shorts/hBeFIjLjRog?feature=share

Can best hear it around 11-13 seconds on this first video.

https://youtube.com/shorts/fRz04IgNrpQ?feature=share

Mine sounds similar to Trevor's.

Can hear it throughout on this second video.

[S4Fin]

Bumping because I think I may have found most of a solution. I haven't fully tested yet, but I think I'm on to something



I turned my soundaktor off using VCDS (volume 0), or you can pull the associated fuse.

My assumption is this; based on the above infographic, I think the soundaktor was inadvertently translating noise that we didn't want to hear. Maybe there's an issue with the device, but based on the description of how it works, it definitely could be causing the issue because it shows exactly where I'm hearing noise from..

Car seemed much quieter. Dynamic still gives you exhaust valve movement obviously. Give it a shot and see if it changed it for you. I have a long drive coming up tonight and will test more than around the block

I've removed the fuse for that about 5 days after I got the car. I can hear the ticking still, I was hoping it was the solution at the time I did it. Didn't mention it because it didn't work for me lol.

[trevor51590]

I've removed the fuse for that about 5 days after I got the car. I can hear the ticking still, I was hoping it was the solution at the time I did it. Didn't mention it because it didn't work for me lol.

Yep, confirmed didn't take care of it for me either

[S4Fin]

Yep, confirmed didn't take care of it for me either

I did wonder if it may have been the actual actuator mechanism in the soundaktor making the clicking sound. But the sound seems to be coming from the driver's side way more than it is coming from the center where they say the soundaktor is.