I recently bought a 2006 A3 2.0T, build date is 06/05.
The car is from Arizona but I live in NJ, I never brought it to the dealer here.
Original warranty expires 12/31/09.
It has 31,000 miles on it.

1) Is this noise normal?
2) What is it?
3) If it's not normal, Will it be covered under the warranty?
I have a feeling the dealership will try to avoid the repair it since the warranty will expire soon and the check engine light is not on.

Any advice on what I should do?

Thanks all for you help it's greatly appreciated!

I posted the video in 2 formats in case one does not work.
http://www.automatedvps.com/joe/a3tap/a3tap.divx
http://www.automatedvps.com/joe/a3tap/a3tap.wmv

Thanks again for the help.

Joe

 

Your noise is absolutely normal.

The 2.0T engine has very high compression, and with direct injection it sounds like a diesel engine at idle, which is what you're hearing. Above idle, that noise should disappear.

BTW, you're missing the small cover on the air intake behind the radiator. That part is easily lost, but will result in drawing in hot air from the engine compartment, rather than cooler outside air. See #3 in the link below:

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=3366758

If you haven't found it already, this is an excellent source for A3 tips and DIY:

http://oooo-a3.blogspot.com/

 

Actually the 2.0t has very low compression, 9. something, but has very high pressure fuel system, which is making all that noise. Your fuel pump actually rides along a lobe on your cam shaft which makes a ticking noise, if your boost ever starts flatting out then take it in because your cam follower on your fuel pump is wearing out. This is a issue on all 2.0t's, ive seen people not realize it and the cam actually wore into the fuel pump and through the cam follower and had to replace the whole cam, in which you then need to pull the entire motor lol. I'm taking mine in soon before my warranty goes and tell them i'm losing power, if you tell them that they will check your cam follower. I can't beleave they won't do a recall on all these parts that fail.

Also with having such low compression you can even run 87 octane without hurting anything, but you will have a loss in power. There's actually a article on this somewhere if you google it.

 

The owner's manual does indeed say that compression ratio id 9.3:1, but the Audi Spec Sheet linked below and every test I've seen of the A3 with the FSI motor (2006-2008?) says that the compression ratio is 10.3:1. That's BEFORE the turbo boost of 11.4 psi is added.

http://www.audiworld.com/news/05/los.../06a3specs.pdf

The newer TSI motor has a 9.6:1 compression ratio, but 91 octane fuel is still recommended.

Regarding use of 87 octane fuel - the knock sensors will be restricting performance by retarding the timing advance (and reducing boost?). Why bother to spend the money on such a wonderful motor, then save a few bucks and restrict it? On that same Spec Sheet there is a note regarding the loss of power using other than high octane fuel.

 

its actually not 91 octane if u wana be specific, it 91 ron which is not octane, open you gas cap door on your car it should say 91 ron. Which some 87 and 89 octane is.
Different countries have some variation in what RON (Research Octane Number) is standard for gasoline, or petrol. In the UK, ordinary regular unleaded petrol is 91 RON (not commonly available), premium unleaded petrol is always 95 RON, and super unleaded is usually 97-98 RON. However both Shell and BP produce fuel at 102 RON for cars with hi-performance engines, and the supermarket chain Tesco began in 2006 to sell super unleaded petrol rated at 99 RON. In the US, octane ratings in unleaded fuels can vary between 86-87 AKI (91-92 RON) for regular, through 89-90 AKI (94-95 RON) for mid-grade, up to 90-94 AKI (95-99 RON) for premium.

 

Thanks for the insight and the videos on the first post.
The same mysterious tapping noise has been going on for about 1 year now.
My Audi guy told me this is completely normal as well.
It has gotten a bit louder over time now and while my car is warming up at home or in my work parking lot, I always have neighbors or co-workers tell me to go get that checked out because it doesn't sound right, haha. I can only laugh about it now, since its nothing serious as everyone says.

But it is a shame to have such a nice looking ride and to deal with that tapping noise all the time.

 

Yea i feel ya, its crazy that our 2.0t's are louder then Tdi's lol. I did read some where when i first got my A3, that some of the engine internals where modeled after a diesel motor, explaining the diesel like sound of hour motors.

 

Ryder, BTW you should open up your fuel door. Mine says 95 RON, and yours should too. In the US, purchase premium fuel and make your baby purr!

 

My A3 is tuned to 93 octane, my car wouldnt run if i put anything less in it. I can also switch it to run only 100 octane too, if i switch programs in my ecu.

 

LOL

Your car would run, and just fine. The ECU would just retard the timing to keep from pre-ignition issues.

I have the 91, 93 & 100 programs too, and pump premium in Texas is 93, so that's where mine is most all of the time.

My statement was that the fuel door on your car says 95 RON, like mine.

I like your enthusiasm, but you're killing me! LOL

Later.