Hey, new to the forum, old to Audi Ownership... and the annual pain in my wallet it causes. Thanks in advance for any suggestions...

I have a 1997 A4 1.8T Quattro with 93K on it. All maintenance has been done at Audi, oil, etc., and its a lightly driven car, 30 miles per day, no highway. As of today I heard a fairly loud clacking noise coming from the engine on what sounds like the front and just to the left of centerline (as you face the motor its on the left, so its actually on the right side of the car). The motor runs, it just clacks... BUT... the clack disappears when I rev the engine, about over 2500 or so. As it revs down, the clack comes back. Power seems fine when it was driving. Its not the little valve tap you get when you first start the motor, and the oil level is fine.

It just started today and I don't want to press my luck with it, thinking of having it flatbedded back to Audi, want some input from the forum first. Any ideas???

Thanks,
Mike

PS - Its not a "light" clattery sound, like sheet metal or an exhaust cover, its a distinctive knock type clack... somewhat heavy, but not like a thrown rod...if that helps.

 

same problem... i used to work over at Nissan and one of the techs sed it could possibly be a stuck lifter...

when i was on the forums couple other ppl have the same prob they sed its either the heat shield above the Cat on the exhaust or next to the wastegate

heres the post check here here

 

Does it sound like running something over an old wash board? If it does, then it is a turbo bearing. Mine just went and I have the same car. Very small line feeds oil and to the unit and apparently they get clogged. No warning light will come on.

 

Mike, has the timing belt ever been done?

It sounds similar to when my tensioner broke on the timing belt.

You would be wise to flatbed it to the shop just in case.

 

i had the same problem. when i first started my car it would make that noise and at idle it would make that noise but when u would rev it up or take off it would go away. and yes it is a very load noise. from wat u say it sound like the same problem i had. its your cam tensioners. they keep your timming chain tight. they are oil fed so its not getting enough oil to keep your timming chain tight(allowing it to rattle) until u rev it up. i went to the dealership and they wanted $1680 to fix it. i then took it to a local shop and had it done for less than $900. and the dealership said its safe to drive like this just will get annoying.

 

no offense burtonsnow815, but i didn't know a4's had timing chains?? and i'm not being a dick but i never heard of a oil line for cam tensioners or even cam tensioners?? idk i could be worng someone correct me if i am. The oil feed line does look big enough to me, but my buddy with a turbo'd d16z6 1993 honda civic, had a piece of paint about the size of the end of a pen and it ruined his turbo when it was in the oil line. but to the subject i would say probaly wouldn't be timing belt, but should change anyway if it hasn' been yet, and lifter in the valvetrain seems likely, even the cams could be warped/bent and do that or a cam cap is lose, it could be a milion things, i say find where it sounds the loudest and rip apart form there and evaluate everything there, these engines are not as tuff to work on as they are played out to be just my 2 cents later

 

^^^ Agreed, start ripping it apart, Montana Style.... LOL

hmmmm, maybe post a sound clip for a little help? Because in my head, I can hear 100 different things in that description.

 

http://www.carjunky.com/partstore/bu...s&make_code=AU
http://www.carjunky.com/partstore/bu...q&make_code=AU

 

http://www.ca-va.org/tech/camtensioner/index.html
that link will show you excatly what you need and how to change ur cam tensioners

 

Thanks for the input. I am bringing her to the dealership Wednesday just to get their opinion on what it is, so if you hear a scream coming from the east coast, you'll know I'm SOL. I was on vacation last week in Costa Rica, and I figured I'd deal with the car when I got home... which is now.

Things like this tend to **** me off! Damned motor was running fine, and now this. Crap.

Anyone else want to chime in wiith an opinion, speak now!

Thanks,
Mike