The other day i had my car ideling and my friend noticed that it was making a pretty loud tapping noise. I couldn't hear it inside the car but as soon as i opened the door i heard it. I opened the hood to listen more closely and it souned like it was coming from in the engine somewhere (possibly valves?) I then drove the car abouta blockto get my other vehicle because i figured i better not drive it with this loud tapping noise. When i got out ofthe car to get my other vehicle the noise was no longer there. I then shut the car off to check the oil level and that was fine. Started the car back up to park it and the tapping noise started again so i parked it for the night. The next day i started the car the tappping noise was there for the first couple times the engine turned over then went away. Drove the car now for two days and it has not happened since. Im pretty confused on what this could be and if i should be worried about it or not. The car has a warranty on the drive train that runs out in another month and i would like to get the problem fixed before it does. But now its not making the tapping noise anymore. Kinda hard to take it to a shop to have them figure out what it is if its not making noise anymore. The car is due for an oil change and im not sure what oil is in it now beacause it has whatever was in it when i bought it. Also theengine was still not up to full temp. Anyone else experience anything like this? Any ideas on what the cause of this might be? Im stumped.... Cars a 1.8t quattro

 

might have done it because it was cold out, or just at first start up it may always have done it you just never noticed it before? im not sure but i know some cars do that when you first start up BTW how is the oil level?

 

Oil levels good

 

I'm not sure if this is right but it might get things started. Somewhere I read that the 1.8 uses hydraulic lifters and sometimes when it's cold and the oil isn't warm enough the oil pressure isn't high enough and they close a little early. That post also said that if your oil is dirty the chanels in the lifters can get dirty. Hopefully someone who knows more can verify this.

 

yeah might be just the cold weather start up...

 

Thats what i kinda thought too,the only thing isit was only in the mid 40's when it did it, and the engine was at about half its normal operating temp.I started the car, drove for about 2 min, parked it and let it idel, then it started making the noise.I know the oil needs changed and i dont know what kind of oil is in it now as far as weight and if its synthetic or not. Planning to change the oil tommarow. Any suggestions on what i should put in it?