My 2001 A4 1.8T is making a really loud rattle while at low RPM. When the I raise RPMs above 1100 it goes away and it never happens with a cold engine except for a secondduring the initial start-up. The dealership wants $145 for a diagnostic test but I thought I'd see if anyone on here knows what the problem is and how much is a good price to fix it.

 

Can you explain a lil better, like is it coming from the inside the motor etc.....? Is it a rattle or a tick?
Is your oil full?
Notice anything loose that might be rattling?
Have you listened under the hood to locate the noise?

 

It sounds like its coming from the back/top of the motor and a rattle is the best I can describe it. I think I've ruled out anything loose. The oil is full, I just had a an engine flush and oil change.

 

This started after the flush and change? Have you taken off the engine cover?

Your make have a "lazy" lifter, or its not getting enough oil.

 

Its was happening before the engine flush and oil change. I stopped by a "hole in the wall" import mechanic and thats what he recommended as a first step. $85 later and the problem still exsist. He also mentioned lifters if the engine flush didnt work. I just took the engine cover off to see where the noise was coming from. Any idea why the noise only happens after the engine is warm? Thanks foryour help, I'm clueless when itcomes to this car.

 

What oil are you using?

 

I'm not sure, I always just took it to Sears and they did it.
I did get synthetic though.

 

Is the car running fine other than this noise and have you had it scanned for codes?

Im running out of idea's unfortunatly.

 

Yes, the car runs fine except for the noise butI havent had it checked for codes. I think you might be right about the lifters though and I also heard it could be the oil pump.

 

Oil pump should give you a cell and make your car go boom! (or at least lots of knocking and ticking)