2006 audi a4 loud top end engine noise

[Cbrock2153]

I recently picked up a 2006 audi a4 2.0T with 140k. My first Audi so im new to this world but I'm mechanically inclined. I got it for a steal and knew id have to put some work/money into it. It has a loud ticking sound coming from the top end, more towards the rear. Initially I thought it was the chain tensioner. I pulled it all apart and the tensioner along with the chain are brand new and absolutely no slack in the chain. I did notice when I pulled the HPFP out, there was no cam follower. Whether or not that would have fixed the noise, I wasnt sure. The camshaft lobe had some wear but I didn't see the need to pull that out right yet. But then again, I could be totally wrong and that needs replaced. I replaced the hpfp and cam follower along with all gaskets from anything that I removed.
I got it all back together and its still making the noise but I really didn't expect any less. Gets louder with higher rpms. My diag scanner picks up no codes except for having the battery disconnected. I'm thinking maybe it's a lifter but before I dig any further into it, I wanted to get some input from you guys. Any help is greatly appreciated. I've attached a video of the noise. Also, I haven't let it warm up. This is just cold start. But I imagine being warm, it wouldn't be much difference.
https://youtu.be/bGQsYZHuIkg

[Epic-A3]

That valve cover need to come off and check lash. That sounds bad. Could be a bad rocker or lifter. Dont think so since you have no codes. The fact there was no cam follower has me most concerned. Did you take a picture of the lobe? That's definitely intune with the engine rotation. I wouldn't run that anymore until you pull it apart.
If removing the valve cover reveals noting.. you'll have to yank the cam tower to take out the cams for closer inspection of the cams, rockers and lash adjusters. Visually check the tops of the valves for damage. Closely inspect the intake cam, that seems to be the most likely suspect since there was no cam follower. Keep me updated with pictures if you can.

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[Cbrock2153]

Okay I'll pull it back apart tonight. One thing I did do was, I used a stethoscope and listened for the sound. There is absolutely nothing abnormal coming from the valve cover. Sounds normal. But once I get to the rear cover, definitely something wrong. The noise is loud.

[Cbrock2153]

Here are some pictures I have right now when I first pulled it apart. The HPFP area is right after I took the pump off and noticed no cam follower and you can obviously see the cam lobe.Screenshot_20200324-210513_Video%20Player.jpeg20200313_175525.jpeg20200309_204635.jpeg20200308_171505.jpeg

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[GIACuser]

No cam follower found is scary. Either wore down so badly that it fell into pieces or somebody did work and forgot to put it back in. Cam lobe is torn up, need to replace cam, that will def make noise. You might want to pull the pan and see if the follower cam apart and found its way through motor.


Pic of one of my cam lobes at 100K miles after miuch track abuse and an HPFP with a much stronger spring pressing cam follower to lobe. If cam followers are replaced, oil changes and oil filters are changed properly it should look like this even at 140K.

Great job on your photos by the way, they show great detail and it is difficult to photograph and show the detail.

[Cbrock2153]

Okay that was my next task, replacing that intake camshaft. I haven't pulled the pan yet, but I did drain the oil last night and found metal in the oil so my guess is the follower found its way through the engine. I'll pull the pan and check the pickup. I didn't have any oil pressure warning lights but Id rather be safe than sorry.

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[wt8d]

I assume you just removed the timing cover to check the chain etc. I just happened to fix the ticking noise from the timing cover by replacing camshaft adjuster/sprocket, timing chain, tensioner and timing cover, since I had fault codes related to valve timing. found the magnet on the timing cover was broken. I could not figure out why that happened, so i replaced everything. I did not want to take chances. The fault codes were gone and the ticking noise was gone as well !! So I do not know which part was making noise unfortunately...My original timing chain did not have any slack, and the tensioner guides did not show any sign of excessive wear.. What sucks is that there is no way to check which part s making noise..hard to tell with visual inspection.

[Friggatone69]

My car is making the same noise. I just swapped a bpy from an Audi a3 into my A4 and it is making the same noise. Before putting the motor in i replaced timing chain and tensioner. When I pulled the rest timing cover off again, I found that one of the cam adjuster oil seals broke. Just wondering I should dive deeper or if broken seals would cause this sort of noise?